The New York Times is adding their first plug-in hybrid van to their New York City delivery fleet with the addition of a new Dodge Sprinter. The Sprinter is being provided by a partnership of DaimlerChrysler, the New York Power Authority (NYPA), Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and Con Edison. The van will be operating between the Times Queens printing plant, the Manhattan headquarters and various locations around the city.

The Sprinter is equipped with a 220V charging system, a lithium ion battery pack, and regenerative braking that combined can provide 20 miles of electric only driving. When the battery power is insufficient, the clean diesel engine will kick in. Urban driving in a place like Manhattan where lots of stop and go (mostly stop) is the order of the day is the ideal application for this type of system. The Chrysler press release is after the jump.

[Source: Chrysler]