Syracuse University and State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry students were given the chance on Monday to glimpse one of the auto-industry’s most recent advances in hybrid-electric technology.

The New York Power Authority displayed DaimlerChrysler’s latest hybrid vehicle, the plug-in hybrid electric Sprinter Van, outside the ESF Physical Plant Building.

In cooperation with the Electric Power Research Institute and DaimlerChrysler, the NYPA is working to increase awareness of new hybrid technologies throughout New York State.

‘We chose to bring the Sprinter to the SUNY-ESF campus because it is the focal point of advanced environmental research in Central New York,’ said Brian Warner, NYPA spokesman.

The vehicle has already been displayed in New York City and Buffalo, and is scheduled to appear in Albany as well.

‘Through these demonstrations, the EPRI hopes to prove to DaimlerChrysler that there is a viable market for the Sprinter Van in the United States,’ Warner said. ‘We want to alert the people that this vehicle is coming. We want people to be given a chance to test it.’

A hybrid vehicle uses an electric motor in addition to a conventional propulsion system, Warner said. The conventional component is fueled by gasoline and the electrical component is usually fueled by a battery pack. To refuel the Sprinter’s electrical engine, users simply have to plug it in.

‘The combination of electric and gasoline propulsion reduces emissions,’ Warner said. ‘It would be extremely advantageous to use this technology in utility vehicles. These vehicles travel at slow speeds and make frequent stops in highly trafficked and populated areas that we would rather not pollute.’

The Sprinter Van, although still in its concept phase, is intended to replace commercial vehicles like buses and delivery vehicles, Warner said. It contains a larger battery pack than most hybrids and is able to travel up to 20 miles in the ‘all electric mode’ at low speeds. On urban routes, the Sprinter Van is capable of operating for a whole day on electricity.

‘By next year, four or five Sprinter Vans will be available for trial in New York State,’ Warner said.

But as for when the vehicle will be made available for sale to the general public, it is completely up to the DaimlerChrysler timeline, Warner said.

‘We’ve all been in a car behind a bus when it belches out a cloud of black smoke,’ Warner said. ‘That is not healthy.’

ESF President Cornelius Murphy could not be reached for comment, but did say that Monday’s demonstration was another needed step towards a cleaner and greener world, according to a ESF press release.

Ed Goodwin, a sophomore chemistry and physics major, said hybrids are great for saving money and reducing emissions, but they’re only a temporary solution.

‘Eventually the world will run out of oil, and before that happens, we need a completely alternative energy source,’ Goodwin said. ‘It could be hydrogen or bio-diesel. But personally I think ethanol is great because it’s completely renewable and safer than hydrogen and easier to produce than bio-diesel.’

Published on September 25, 2006 at 12:00 pm