Ford escape PHEV on-road results from US DOE's technology acceleration and deployment activity

Abstract

The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) conducts fleet data collection and analysis activities for advanced technology vehicles, including Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV), as part of the US DOE's Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity (AVTA). In 2009, data collection began for the Technology Acceleration and Deployment Activity (TADA) for which INL is conducting the data analysis and reporting. The Technology Acceleration and Deployment Activity includes twenty-one Ford Escape PHEVs operated by various fleets throughout the world. Data is collected from all twenty-one vehicles during driving and charging in order to understand the operation of the vehicle as well as the vehicle operator behavior. This paper discusses the overall results from a three year period of data collection from the twenty-one E85 capable Ford Escape PHEVs, which amounts to over 500,000 miles of operation. Multiple factors that impact the fuel economy and electrical energy consumption are presented including charging behavior, ambient temperature, driving style, accessory usage, and route type.