Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) would combine today’s new
gas-electric hybrid technology with larger batteries that could provide an
all-electric operating range of 25 to 35 miles or more. The result is an
80+ mile-per-gallon vehicle — with even greater fuel economy possible
utilizing bio-fuels. Plug-ins could be recharged by plugging into a
standard wall socket, delivering "electric" gallons of gas for about 75
cents a gallon at prevailing electric rates. Such a vehicle could reduce
gasoline consumption for the average American by 50 percent to 70 percent
and reduce automobile emissions well in excess of emissions that might
result from the additional use of power plants.
"Plug-in hybrids represent a real near-term solution to America’s
over-reliance on foreign oil imports and energy prices that escalate the
cost of everything and threaten the very economic life of our nation,"
says Austin Mayor Will Wynn, who pledged $1 million in city rebates to
help citizens and businesses purchase the first wave of plug-ins to roll
off assembly lines. "The technology exists today," Wynn says. "This
campaign will demonstrate to automakers that the market is also there."
Already almost a dozen cities, over 100 public power utilities, businesses
and a host of national policy groups have signed on to the "Plug-In
Partners" campaign. Austin’s template calls for cities to initiate citizen
petition drives and to encourage government and businesses to issue "soft"
orders or expressions of interest in purchasing plug-ins.
"Nothing has to be invented to produce a plug-in hybrid vehicle," says
Dr. Andrew Frank, a mechanical engineering professor at the University of
California at Davis and Director of the UCD Hybrid Electric Research
Center. "Everything needed is available: the power trains, the gasoline
engines, the computer systems, electric motors and batteries. All we need
is for one of the large auto manufacturers to step up to the plate."
"Oil imports and the dark cloud they cast over this country requires
dramatic and immediate attention," says Frank Gaffney, President, Center
for National Security Policy. "When that prolonged oil crisis occurs,
Americans will pay anything because they will have no choice. Why wait
until a catastrophe strikes to get truly serious about addressing the
problem?"
Last year, U.S. consumers purchased more than 200,000 hybrid vehicles,
which have grown from two models in 2000 to 11 models today. Hybrid sales
are projected to triple over the next six years, as more Americans
demonstrate their desire for better fuel economy and lower emissions.
According to the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), half the cars
in the U.S. are driven just 25 miles a day or less. "A plug-in vehicle
with even a 20-mile range could reduce petroleum fuel consumption by about
60 percent," says Bob Graham, Manager of EPRI’s Electric Transmission
program.
EPRI has teamed with DaimlerChrysler AG of Stuttgart, Germany, to
design and build a plug-in prototype van that will be tested in a small
number of American cities over the next year. The vans, which have a
20-mile all-electric range, will be outfitted with either nickel-metal
hydride (NiMH) batteries or lithium ion (Li-Ion) batteries. The cost,
reliability and weight of batteries are often cited by automotive industry
experts as one of the stumbling blocks to the mass production of plug-ins.
"We have driven our fleet of over 200 electric vehicles almost 12
million miles and have had no major problems with the batteries," notes
Edward Kjaer, Manager of Southern California Edison’s Electric
Transportation Department. "The new generation of lithium-ion batteries is
more powerful and lighter-weight and with reasonable volumes, should
provide a price that would allow plug-in hybrid electric vehicles to be
competitive."
On the Web (links open in a new window):
Plug-In Partners