WASHINGTON- Georgetown University will be loaned two Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHV) as part of a demonstration program launched Sept. 29. The program is part of a global plug-in hybrid study with Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (TMS), and the U.S. Department of Energy's Clean Cities Program, managing the long-term evaluation of the vehicles, according to a release from TMS.

During the study, more than 150 PHVs are being delivered to demonstration program partners across the U.S. — 600 throughout the world — to demonstrate plug-in hybrid technology, educate and inform the public about the cars, and capture real-world driving data.

Georgetown is the first site in Washington, D.C., to participate in the program. Beginning this December, several Georgetown employees will have the opportunity to test-drive one of the vehicles in three-month rotations. There are two newly installed electric vehicle charging stations in a parking garage on campus.

In early 2011, data from the U.S. demonstration programs will be posted online. This data will show how the plug-in hybrid vehicles are being used and how they are performing, and will be used in the development of the next generation Prius PHV coming to market in 2012.