Hybrid Vigor

Your co-op takes first step toward electric vehicles

Come on in, there's plenty of room! Charles Dyer, Rita Knudsen, Dan Bennett and Evette Jones show Walton EMC's new Toyota Prius electric hybrid has plenty of room for four adults.

You're stopped at the red light in a busy intersection of a major four-lane. But your car's engine isn't running. It's an eerie silence. Is the car dead? Are you stranded in no-man's-land?

Not at all. Your hybrid electric car is doing exactly what it's designed to do-save gas and reduce pollution. And Walton EMC employees will get the chance to use a unique hybrid car when they go about the business of serving the co-op's members.

"It's time for us to enter the hybrid electric vehicle arena," says Walton EMC Vice President of Engineering and Operations Ron Marshall. "We've had an electric vehicle in the budget for the last two years but haven?t been able to find one that fits our needs."

The Toyota Prius is the first electric vehicle that's practical for WEMC's operations. It also carries a reasonable price tag-only about ten percent higher than a conventional sedan.

All-electric vehicles don't yet have the range capabilities needed for everyday Walton EMC tasks; they only go about 60 miles on a charge. And the only place you can buy them is California. So a gas-electric hybrid makes perfect sense.

There's no big cord or charging station for the Prius. The car recharges itself using two methods; both the gas engine and momentum of the wheels generate power for the car's battery bank.

The high-tech battery bank is made of 38 nickel-metal hydride modules sealed in a carbon composite case. This makes the Prius's batteries much safer than the typical lead-acid automotive battery.

The hybrid vehicle has several advantages with the most tangible being fuel economy. The EPA estimated mpg for the Prius is 52 city and 45 highway. City mileage is higher than highway because the electric motor is used more in stop-and-go driving.

The second big advantage is the lack of pollution. The Prius has a Super Ultra Low Emission rating, 90 percent lower than the other Ultra Low Emission-rated hybrids. The average car carries only a Low Emission rating. "Since we're in the Atlanta ozone non-attainment area, we're trying to buy more vehicles with lower emissions," says Marshall.

So how practical is the Prius? It's much roomier than you'd think and surprisingly, four adults sit comfortably. The trunk is a decent size for a small car, too.

In the power department, don't expect a muscle car (you probably didn't anyway). The 1.5-liter gas engine/electric motor can cruise at highway speeds, but you won't burn rubber getting there. But that's not why you'd buy a Prius in the first place.

Just enjoy thumbing your nose at the gas-guzzlers when you drive right by them at the gas station.

But if you do decide to stop and chat, don't forget to mention the $2,000 tax deduction you're getting for buying a hybrid car. The guzzlers will surely want to know.

On the web: Toyota Prius web site

Sharing the Load

The Toyota Prius switches between the gas engine and electric motor depending on driving needs. It's all shown in real-time on a graphic display located in the dashboard.

Coasting/Stopping

The electric motor functions as a generator during coasting and stopping to charge the batteries. At stops, the gas engine shuts off automatically and the electric motor stands by to power the car. This conserves fuel and eliminated emissions.

Uphill

The electric motor uses power from both the battery pack and generator. The gas engine splits power between the generator and wheels.

Highway

The gas engine is the primary energy source with the electric motor assisting in varying degrees.

City

The car is programmed to minimize fuel consumption with the gas engine and electric motor used equally.

Low Speed

During initial acceleration, the electric motor is the primary power source. The gas engine starts under heavy acceleration or to turn the generator to charge the batteries.