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Hybrid
cars, trucks, and SUVs: All vehicles hybrid
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Tuesday, December 12, 2006Department
of Energy Study Concludes that America's Electric Grid Can
Handle Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles
A new study by the
Department of Energy demonstrates that America's power
grid could accommodate converting 84% of all vehicles into
plug-in
hybrids. Since plug-in hybrids could handle the
average daily commute of most Americans, the study assumed
owners would primarily fill up during non-peak hours -
such as after 5.
"The estimates didn't include hydro, renewables or
nuclear plants. It also didn't include plants designed to
meet peak demand because they don't operate continuously.
We still found that across the country 84 percent of the
additional electricity demand created by PHEVs could be
met by idle generation capacity," stated PNNL energy
researcher Rob Pratt.
But the good news doesn't end there. The study also
concluded that converting to electricity would also be
much better for the environment, reducing global warming
emissions and other forms of pollution.
On the downside, it could take from 5 - 8 years for
plug-in hybrids to pay for themselves for consumers. Of
course, since we'd end foreign oil dependency, why not
offer some nice tax credits to consumers and subsidies to
automakers? Then it's a win-win for everyone.
On a sidenote, Straightline
from Edmunds.com also referenced the article and
stated, "One thing no one has addressed however is:
What happens when there is a regional power outage? If a
hurricane or ice storm knocks out all the power in your
area, how are you going to recharge your vehicle? If most
people convert to this method, it could be a real
problem."
What do you do? You fill it up with fuel, buddy. It's a
plug-in hybrid, not an electric vehicle. It can use both
fuel and electricity.
(Source: The
AutoChannel)
posted by Dahcredyns
at 6:21
AM
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More hybrid
news
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(More hybrid
news)
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Hybrid
Cars Buying Guide: Which hybrid vehicle is best for you?
If you are not sure which hybrid vehicle best
meets your needs, use our Buyer's Guide (more)
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The
Toyota
Prius Hybrid
The hybrid car
leader at just $20,000?
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Simply
an unbelievable piece of automotive technology. Tax
credits for this hybrid vehicle have now been cut in half,
however, supply of this hybrid is up.
(more)
(test
drive)
--> Buying
a Toyota Prius Hybrid
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Toyota
Camry Hybrid
Top
selling Camry, as a hybrid
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A
hot, new hybrid vehicle from Toyota. This hybrid offers
excellent performance, fantastic fuel efficiency - and its
a Camry!
(more)
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Toyota
Highlander Hybrid
Great
performance and efficiency
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This
hybrid SUV from Toyota offers V6 performance with V4 fuel
economy. Hybrid credits for this Toyota have also been cut
in half.
(more)
>
Official
Highlander hybrid pricing
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Mercury
Mariner Hybrid Hybrid
The
hybrid drive is similar to the Escape hybrid, with Mercury
styling.
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The second
hybrid vehicle from Ford, the Mercury Mariner hybrid, will
only be offered in limited numbers through 2006. An elegant
and efficient hybrid!
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The
Ford
Escape Hybrid
The world's
first hybrid SUV.
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V6 power with V4 fuel efficiency, the
Escape
hybrid offers SUV functionality and environmental
awareness. The most fuel efficient full hybrid
vehicle.
(more)
(
test drive)
--> Buying
a Ford Escape Hybrid
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The
Honda
Accord Hybrid
Simply the best
Accord.
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Faster
than a conventional Accord, the hybrid Accord is the first
V6 hybrid. This is a hybrid vehicle built for the
highway and the open road, a performance hybrid.
(more)
(test
drive)
--> Buying
a Honda Accord Hybrid
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The
Honda
Civic Hybrid
The first
converted hybrid vehicle
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Now
in its second generation. It
looks
like a Civic, drives a Civic, but at 50 mpg it gets 40
percent better gas mileage than a regular Civic.
(more)
--> Buying
a Honda Civic Hybrid
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The
Lexus
RX400h Hybrid
The world's
most luxurious hybrid SUV.
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This hybrid is
a luxurious performer for those seeking to help the
environment
(more)
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