by Shane Henson — June 13, 2011—Dow recently reached an agreement with Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc., to produce novel plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) fleet trucks.
Dows says commercially available PHEVs are primarily passenger cars and offer significant advantages by reducing gasoline usage, maintenance requirements and CO2 emissions. Dow and a major utility company are the first to engage Quantum Technologies, a solutions provider for alternative and renewable energy technology, to convert conventional Ford F-150 trucks to PHEV trucks powered by Dow Kokam lithium ion battery technology, which delivers the energy and power balance required for these vehicles.
Dows says the conversion of the trucks will be completed in phases beginning in December 2011. Dow will deploy more than 100 PHEV trucks by the end of 2012, in the first phase of its fleet conversion. In addition to the trucks, Dow has purchased two Chevy Volt electric-powered vehicles for use within Michigan Operations and its corporate headquarters in Midland, Michigan. Dow is also installing charging stations in phases as the Volts and PHEV trucks are deployed and as site facilities are upgraded. Dow’s new energy-efficient Business Services building will be equipped with multiple charging stations, which will be accessible to employees with all varieties of electric vehicles (EVs) while fleet usage is ramping up.
