Chrysler Group has the launched the second phase of its test of experimental  plug in hybrid electric minivans by three to the municipal utility district in Sacramento, Calif.  PHEVs will be used to evaluate city drive cycles, thermal and charging performance, fuel economy and real-world performance. Tweny-five plug-in hybrid Chrysler Town & Country minivans now in service as the data-collection phase of Chrysler Group LLC's plug-in hybrid minivan project begins in earnest with the completion of the demonstration fleet's deployment.
"The focus now shifts from engineering design and development of this unique technology, to real-world testing and evaluation," said Abdullah Bazzi, senior manager of Chrysler Group's advanced hybrid vehicle project.
The plug-in hybrids will be subjected to "temperature extremes and variations of drive cycles," Bazzi said, adding resulting data will shed light on customer acceptance of the technology and its impact on the grid. Other deployments are in Arizona, North Carolina and Michigan, Bazzi said. By Joseph Szczesny