SCE RAV-4 EV Reaches 100,000-Mile Mark

Electric utility company Southern California Edison (SCE) recently announced
that one of the automobiles in its fleet of 275 electric vehicles (EVs) has
travelled more than 100,000 miles.

SCE said it initiated a project with Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. in
2000 to track the performance and reliability of five RAV-4 EVs until they
reached the 100,000-mile mark using their original nickel-metal hydride
battery packs.

During 12 years of operation, SCE said its EV fleet has logged a total of
nearly 8.5 million miles, helping eliminate more than 1,000 tons of air
pollutants and 4,500 tons of carbon dioxide, avoiding the need for
approximately 1,700 oil changes, saving nearly 421,500 gallons of gasoline
and reducing fuel costs by approximately $250,000. The utility noted that
the fleet is used primarily by its meter readers, service managers, field
representatives, service planners and mail handlers, as well as for security
patrols and carpools.

"The performance of these zero-emission EVs demonstrates, once again, that
electro-drive technology can play an important role in California's fleet
and consumer transportation mix, and can serve as a key tool in addressing
the state's still-serious air quality problems," said SCE electric
transportation division manager Bill West.

Based on the successful operation of the EVs to date, SCE said it plans to
continue using the vehicles even after they pass the 100,000-mile mark,
which two more are expected to accomplish next year.

"Toyota commends SCE for their commitment to clean air solutions," said
Toyota corporate fleet manager Ron Broughman.

Contact: SCE, website http://www.sce.com.

(PR NEWSWIRE: 11/7)

via: Electric Vehicle Today
http://www.eintoday.com