Most recent
plug-in vehicle stories
Why plug-in
vehicles
There are many issues to choose a plug-in electric car, but we'll cover just a few of the top ones.
Obviously, the biggest two reasons to choose a plug-in electric or to reduce foreign oil dependence and CO2 emissions, but those aren't the only reasons to buy a plug-in vehicle.
Innovation. In today's world, few things are more important than innovation when it comes to economic success. Plug-in vehicle technology will undoubtedly require many innovations across numerous technologies, including technologies once far outside the realm of the auto industry, such as software, computers, communications and batteries. Innovations in any of these areas could offer breakthroughs for other industries.
Ultimately, if America wants to remain a leader in innovation, then plug-in vehicles have to be part of the mix.
Plug-In Power
Plug-in vehicles aren't just a good powertrain to help clean the environment and to
help end
foreign oil dependency, but they are also an excellent way to increase America's focus on solar
and wind power, and other forms of energy independence.
In theory the US could move its entire energy paradigm to clean sources of energy that power the entire grid and its several hundred million fleet of automobiles with domestic, green energy.
Will this happen over night?
Of course not, but key innovations could happen at any time. Thus, buying a plug-in vehicle ensures that automakers keep investing into these technologies.
Don't plug-ins use
coal-powered electricity?
Of course, just plugging your car battery into one of your
home's sockets isn't much of a benefit to the environment if coal
is the ultimate source of
most electricity, right?
Wrong. From well-to-wheel,
electric power is still far cleaner than using gasoline according
to several studies. And while some areas of the country rely on antiquated coal-burning technologies, most areas have been upgraded with cleaner technologies.
Yes, in some areas, CO2 emissions could increase because of plug-in vehicles. However, in other areas, those CO2 emissions would be reduced. On the whole, most studies suggests a significant increase in plug-in vehicles would either keep CO2 emissions at current levels, or reduce them.
Over time, however, new technologies will ensure that plug-in vehicles reduce CO2 emissions according to the scientific consensus.
Overall, several studies have
determined that the nation's electric grid can handle plug-in
vehicles as long as the majority of plugging-in occurs during off-peak hours.
Even better some companies are
developing V2G
technology that would enable plug-in drivers to plug
into the grid at work - pumping electricity into the grid during
peak hours and making money for the plug-in owner.
The Potential of Plug-Ins
Perhaps in the future, automobile manufacturers could even
incorporate solar panels into the roofs or bodies of plug-ins to provide
constant battery charging. Until then, home-owners, solar-roofed
parking structures, and portable solar panels could still offer
consumers new possibilities and very futuristic accessories.
Plug-ins in Focus
Chevy Volt
Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid
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More Plug-In hybrid
information
How secure would a national smart grid be?
Karma:
No plug-in hybrids without a gas tax?
Chevy
Volt: The greatest marketing gimmick ever?
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plans to electrify Ford
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EVs save the US auto industry?
EIA
Outlook: PHEVs over-hyped and more bailout questions
BYD
launches plug-in hybrid
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plug-in hybrids without a gas tax?
Chevy
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UK
study: Grid can handle plug-ins and reduce CO2
Lithium
questions continue for plug-in hybrids
Tax
credits for plug-in conversions
The
Volt or bust? Should GM delay the Volt?
Plug-ins:
Much ado about fuel economy credits?
Chrysler's
EVs more developed than the Volt
We
all want plug-in hybrids, but can we afford them?
Honda:
Proof that plug-in vehicles are a gimmick?
Toyota
lithium-powered hybrids coming in 2010
2010
NAIAS: Year of the plug-in hybrids, or is it 2020?
Chevy
Volt: Hype Whore or Resource Hog?
A
sneak peak at the Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid
Today
a full Saturn Vue hybrid, tomorrow a plug-in Saturn Vue hybrid
A plug-in Prius
never in the works?
Lithium
hybrids: Too dangerous or too expensive?
First
solar powered plug-in hybrid ready for sale?
What
is taking lithium so long?
1
in 4 Americans ready for a plug-in hybrid?
PG&E
and Tesla Partner on V2G
Europe's
Volt: The Opel Flextreme plug-in diesel hybrid
The reality of
plug-in hybrid vehicles
Google
offers $10 million for plug-in hybrid development
Ultimate
Green Excuse: I'm waiting for a plug-in hybrid vehicle
Build
your plug-in hybrid vehicle kit
Plug-in
hybrid vehicles are a key to alternative energy success?
Plug-in
Hybrid Conversion module fits in your spare
tire well
Toyota
Confirms plug-in hybrid development
Plug-in
hybrids could increase grid reliability?
Plug-in
hybrid vehicles plugged again by Administration
Honda
pooh poohs both plug-in hybrids and E85
Are
automakers dragging their feet on plug-in hybrids?
Ford
to adapt HySeries hydrogen plug-in hybrid to gasoline
plug-in hybrid
DaimlerChrysler
testing Dodge Sprinter plug-in hybrid vehicles
Meet
the the Chevy Volt Electric Vehicle, an evolutionary GM
Concept
GM
awards contracts to develop hybrid batteries
Woolsey
plugs hybrid plug-ins again
DOE
study concludes plug-in hybrids work on grid and good
for America!
Toyota
will develop plug-ins as soon as technology ready
DOE
study concludes plug-in hybrids work on grid and good for America!
GM:
SUVs, Flex-fuel SUVs, Hybrid SUVs, Plug-in Hybrid SUVs - Lots of
SUVs
GM's
Pie-in-the-Sky plug-in hybrid plans just P.R. or reality?
GM
working on Saturn Vue Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle
I-Car
and GM's hybrid vehicle plans announced today?
Argonne
Lab and EPRI to test commercial viability of plug-in hybrids in 3
year study
Plug-in
hybrid vehicles being tested for fleet use and affect on electric
grid
Flex-fuel
hybrids or plug-in hybrids
Lithium
hybrid revolution 3 to 4 years away?
Toyota
more interested in plug-in hybrids
GM
considers plug-in hybrid vehicle
$6500.00
to double your hybrid's fuel mileage?
Hymotion
offering plug-in kit for the Prius, Escape hybrid soon
Plug-in
conversion kits for hybrid vehicles
Nationwide
campaign for plug-in hybrids launched
Check out this article, Experimental
Hybrid Cars Get Up to 250 Mpg by the AP
More on plug-in
hybrid vehicles.
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