Plug-In Hybrids

Here is a short article about plug-in hybrids. The first paragraph is what caught my eye, mainly the idea that Americans are leery to purchase vehicles that have limited range (i.e. all-electric cars). What I don't understand is why that is the case? Why won't Americans purchase vehicles that fit their needs 90% of the time? Most people use their cars to drive less that 35 miles, round trip. For this, electric cars are perfect: super quiet, great performance, low maintenance costs, extremely cheap fuel. However, Americans (or at least car manufacturers think this) want to buy a car that is only needed 10% of the time: a long trip, hauling a camper, etc.

People should purchase all-electric cars for their day to day needs, but new companies need to spring up that rent larger vehicles for the 10% of the time that people need big cars.

F3DM by BYD

Big time news. (click the link for a photo of the car)

Today BYD Auto, a Chinese automaker, released the first ever mass produced plug-in electric car. Basic design: The car has enough batteries (that are charged from your electrical outlet) to drive approximately 60 miles on all-electric mode, meaning the internal combustion engine does not turn on. After 60 miles the car can either start a small generator that charges the batteries or simply act like a normal hybrid.

I'm a huge proponent of these vehicles. First, they are a bridge technology that will move us closer to electric vehicles. Second, they reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared with traditional vehicles. Third, they move the smog away from population centers to more efficient electricity production centers. And fourth, as our electricity production becomes greener (wind, solar, etc), so too do these cars.

My true wish would be people biking and walking more, but the reality is that people will drive individual vehicles. If that's going to be the case, then plug-in hybrids are a good start.