13 August 2008
On Thursday 12 June I demonstrated Australia's first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) at Szencorp's green headquarters at 40 Albert Road, South Melbourne. I took the car for a drive, and then we were able to plug a regular household microwave into the vehicle and cook some popcorn for the audience! Just one example of how the “plug out” feature can work!
Szencorp funded the University of Technology Sydney to create Australia's first PHEV. Unlike ordinary petrol/electric hybrids that derive their energy from petrol, the PHEV, a converted Toyota Prius, can be charged up using renewable energy from a normal powerpoint. This effectively renders the vehicle carbon-neutral for commuting as it can run on electricity for over 32 km.
The Szencorp’s PHEV can also “plug out” and supply power to a house or a building using stored power in its batteries, particularly at times of peak demand.
The benefits for Australia of adopting PHEVs include:
• Vehicles that can run on, store and re-supply clean, renewable electricity
• Reduction in greenhouse pollution associated with cars
• Substantially reduced fuel costs
• A revolution in both the motor vehicle and electricity industries
• Reducing Australia’s dependence on foreign oil
• Reducing peak demand
