The New York Times is going to be the first on the East Coast of the United States that will receive the first medium-duty plug-in hybrid which is the first of its kind in the New York State. This is part of a commercial fleet performance demonstration and technology evaluation process that is being conducted by DaimlerChrysler.

The van which is a Dodge Sprinter plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is going to be housed at the New York Times printing plant in College Point, Queens. The said van is going to be used to transport New York Times newspapers to The Times' headquarters in midtown Manhattan and also to different locations in New York area. The van will also be used as a means of transport to The Times' plant in Edison, N.J.

The Dodge Sprinter plug-in hybrid was a joint venture between DaimlerChrysler, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), the New York Power Authority (NYPA), and Con Edison. The partnership was formed to test and assess plug-in hybrid technology in a real driving environment. DaimlerChrysler maker of Jeep vehicles and all its components like Jeep seat covers is the first automaker to test plug-in hybrid technology with the participation of customers within the United States. EPRI research and studies shows that the fleet applications provide the perfect opportunity for initial demonstrations of plug-in hybrids.

According to Tom Lombardo, Vice President, Production, The New York Times, "We are proud that The New York Times is the first major entity in the State of New York with a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle in our fleet. When we were approached by NYPA and DaimlerChrysler, we knew immediately that we wanted to be involved. We are delighted to be supporting the use of clean energy, sustainability and advances in plug-in hybrid technology."

Randolph S. Price, Vice President for Environment, Health, and Safety, Con Edison said, "Con Edison's research and development group recognizes the potential that hybrid plug-in electric vehicles have to make a profound impact on the environment. Electric vehicles have the potential to dramatically lessen our country's dependence on foreign oil and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As the electric supplier for nine million New Yorkers, Con Edison is on the lookout for new, environmentally friendly applications for the electric grid."

Plug-in hybrids are vehicles that can operate in all-electric or hybrid mode. They possess larger batteries compared to traditional hybrids which enable them to travel long distances by means only of electricity. The Dodge Sprinter plug-in hybrid has a battery that allows it to travel 20 miles. For short urban routes with a lot of stop-and-go driving the vehicle can function for most of the day with zero-emission. And when in hybrid mode the vehicle performs like a traditional hybrid with improved fuel economy and lower emission that is comparable to a conventional diesel or gasoline vehicle.