Programme of Work

Task 15, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), provides essential information to understand the current variables related to PHEVs entering the market. Questions to be answered include identifying which types of PHEVs are best in various applications, and how much PHEVs will actually increase the sustainability of transport.

Working Method

The Task's three major activities since its launch in December 2007 have included meetings on the world's lithium supply (in conjunction with Task 10, Electrochemical systems), cold-weather performance of PHEVs, and a workshop evaluating grid-connected vehicles in support of the integration of wind power into the grid. In 2011, the Task work plan was revised to refocus its subtasks on the following topics:

  • Powertrain attributes and vehicle lifetime use costs
  • Policy issues and marketability

Objectives of the Task are to:

  • Identify the best market niche(s) for multiple PHEV technology options
  • Evaluate competing vehicle types such as gasoline, diesel, compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric vehicles that operate in the same market niche for high daily use rate
  • Update the PHEV analyses completed in Task 7, Hybrid Vehicles, which closed in 2007

Extensive details on the achievements of Task 15 may be found in the IA-HEV Task 15 Final Report- published in February 2014.

Phase Four (2009-2015) Objectives Are:

  • Produce objective information for policy and decision makers on hybrid and electric vehicle technology, projects, and programmes and their effects on energy efficiency and the environment. – This objective is carried out by topic-specific Task groups, which produce general and market studies, assessments, demonstrations, comparative evaluation of various options for applying these technologies, technology evaluations, and more.
  • Disseminate the information it produces to the International Energy Agency (IEA) community, national governments, industries, and to other interested organizations.
  • Collaborate on pre-competitive research projects and related topics and investigate the need for further research in promising areas.
  • Collaborate with other transportation-related IEA Implementing Agreements and collaborate with specific groups or committees interested in transportation, vehicles, and fuels.
  • Provide a platform for reliable information on hybrid and electric vehicles.

Duration

Phase Four started in 2009 and continues through 2015.

Member Countries

Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Financing

There is an annual contribution for membership.

Benefits of Participation

The Task working group is composed of members from multi-disciplinary fields. Task members chose to work on the subtask that most closely fits their needs. The growing PHEV consumer market requires further study and research for market success. Task 15 provides a venue to explore PHEV-related topics to increase the likelihood of successful commercialization of this technology.