Seattle and other local agencies will participate in a yearlong demonstration project testing the performance of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in an urban area.

The money will come from the U.S. Department of Energy's Idaho National Laboratory, matched by funding from program participants. Thirteen existing Priuses will be converted to plug-in hybrid electric vehicles at a total cost of $156,000.

The project will test technology used to convert the second generation Priuses to 100 miles per gallon vehicles; test plug-in hybrid electric vehicles performance in an urban area; help evaluate plug-in hybrid electric vehicles-electric grid integration issues; and promote electricity as an alternative fuel for transportation.

Achieving up to 100 mpg, plug-in hybrid vehicles are just one more step in the city's fight against climate change with the added benefit of ultimately reducing dependence on foreign oil. Expected greenhouse gas emissions from the plug-in hybrid electric vehicles Priuses in this demonstration project are 50 percent less than conventional Priuses.

The federal energy department's Idaho National Laboratory is lead for the field performance and life testing of advanced technology vehicles.

"This project will collect valuable performance data needed to help the U.S. Department of Energy support development of cleaner and more efficient transportation," said Michael Hagood, Energy Systems Business Manager, U.S. Energy Department's Idaho National Laboratory. "The participants in this study will provide real-time, real-life information vital to ensuring these technological advances become viable on a wide-scale basis. We couldn't do this important work without them."