Toyota plug-in to be tested in Manitoba

MANITOBA - Manitobans will be among the first in the world to actively test Toyota's new Prius plug-in hybrid vehicle.

Dave Chomiak, the province's minister of innovation, energy and mines, announced the government is teaming up with Manitoba Hydro, the University of Manitoba and Toyota Canada to put the Pruis through its paces.

"Our climate, previous experience with plug-in hybrid technology and Manitoba's abundant hydro electricity made this province a fantastic choice for these trials," Chomiak stated in a news release.

"These trials will help position Manitoba to adopt this greenhouse gas-reducing technology early.

"Having electrically-powered vehicles would make Manitoba more fuel self-sufficient. It could also create opportunities for Manitobans to develop related products and services as well as expertise in researching and developing components for electric vehicles."

The test project will enable Manitoba and its partners to understand how electric vehicles work in the province's climate and assess the impact it will have on the electric grid, Chomiak added.

The test vehicle will be shared by the province, Hydro and U of M for one year, driven by various people under a variety of scenarios. The data will be gathered by logging devices installed in the vehicle by Toyota.

"Toyota is grateful to have such important partners join us as we work together to gather invaluable real-world impressions and feedback," said Toyota Canada managing director Stephen Beatty.

"This project will help the province prepare for what a transition to electrically powered vehicles might mean for the grid," said Manitoba Hydro president and CEO Bob Brennan.

"Manitoba has an existing plug-in infrastructure for block heaters and a population familiar with plugging vehicles in during cold weather.

"We also have a source of electricity to charge vehicles that is 98 per cent renewable from clean hydroelectricity, which is important if electric vehicles are to have the maximum impact in reducing harmful greenhouse-gas emissions."

Hybrid vehicles that use gas combustion assisted by electricity are already a common sight on Manitoba's roads, but the Prius plug-in represents the next step in the technology as it operates primarily on electricity with gas combustion as a back up.

The vehicle can be plugged in and charged at home at night.

The consumer version of the Prius plug-in hybrid is expected to be available to the general public in 2012.