July 26, 2014

UC Davis Pioneers Research for Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (Text Version)

This is a text version of the video segment UC Davis Pioneers Research for Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles, which aired on July 26, 2014.

JOHN DAVIS: Our success story this week takes us to northern California's UC Davis, a pioneer in alternative fuel vehicle research. Here, a wide variety of alt fuel vehicles roam the campus. From compressed natural gas buses to numerous plug-in hybrid conversions, to this Scion eBox EV with an electric motor filling in for the original gas engine.

Electrified vehicles like the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt are studied by the Plug-in Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Research Center. The PHEV center evaluates consumer behavior, vehicle technologies, batteries, and charging station needs, and even helps develop dashboard displays to make electric driving more practical.

RICHARD BATTERSBY: At UC Davis, obviously, we're concerned about the environment and sustainability, and this is a way we can practice what we preach. So we like to set the example. We don't just do research and make recommendations to others. We do it ourselves.

JOHN DAVIS: With over 50 chargers on campus, including 30 Level 2 chargers, a direct current quick-charging station, and even an experimental wireless station, UC Davis is ready for an EV plug-in future.

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