READING, Pa.—EnerSys, an industrial battery company, through its Modular Energy Devices (ModEnergy) subsidiary, has teamed with Quebec's Laval University and Canada's largest cooperative financial group, Desjardins, to conduct a trial program in Quebec City. It will study community acceptance and operating success of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs).
Starting in the Spring of 2008, the multidisciplinary team will spearhead a technical, financial and market based effort to bring the environmental and economic advantages of PHEVs to mainstream markets. If the pilot study is a success, the project will integrate between 10 and 50 PHEVs into Quebec City streets.
The study will give the partners strategic, real-world knowledge about the viability and potential of the market. The PHEVs will be owned and operated by individuals in the community during the expected four year test period.
ModEnergy will supply lithium-ion (Li-Ion) battery packs and controls to Laval University and work with them to optimize performance and durability for evaluation by members of the team and the Quebec City community. Desjardins and Laval University's business school are working together to design innovative financial contracts, which, for example, could encourage the commercialization of this type of environment-friendly technology and its accessibility to consumers.
