Hot Wheels: Prius PHEV Goes Up In Flames
June 19, 2008
The Cooperative Research Network is reporting that a Toyota Prius that was retrofitted with a plug-in hybrid vehicle kit made by Hybrids-Plus exploded earlier this month. The vehicle was part of a test fleet being evaluated by the Central Electric Power Cooperative. The vehicle had been in service since 2007, as part of UC Davis’ Institute of Transportation Studies’ Plug-In Hybrid Center program, which put 100 retrofitted Priuses on the road in northern California.
Researchers had reported charger-related malfunctions on the vehicle but continued to operate it as part of the test vehicle fleet. The vehicle caught on fire while it was being driven. The driver pulled to the side of the road, exited the vehicle and shortly thereafter, the car exploded.
CRN reports that the A123 Li-ion battery pack, which was all but ruled out as the source of the fire, performed well during the event and showed little damage. The researchers may have difficulty determining the exact failure mode, since the vehicle had no data logger at the time of the accident.
Source: Daily Tech
Photo Credit: Ossian Engmark
Comments
Got something to say?
-
Recent Posts
- GM Says Toyota Will Likely Turn In First Commercial PHEV
- Are Hybrids Having An Effect On Consumers’ Gasoline Expenditures?
- Hybrids: To Buy Or Not To Buy…
- The Economy Of Hybrid Vehicles And The Road Less Traveled
- Hybrid Tax Credits: Public Policy v. Corporate Welfare
- Hybrid Buyer Loyalty And Other Oddities
- Hybrid Technology: Where Is It Leading Us?
- Relax, Your Mileage Will Still Vary…
- Where Do Hybrids Fit In The Big Picture?
- Do We Have To Say Goodbye To The SUV?
