Plug-In Hybrids: Ready For Prime Time?

Power Supplies
Plug-in hybrids better fit with commercial fleets. Fleets can provide access to recharging points in the operations’ parking areas and recharge at night when electricity is cheaper. Many individual consumers don’t have electrical outlets where they park and it will be years before convenient outlets are installed. It’s estimated that it’ll take between three and five hours to fully charge a plug-in, depending on the size of its battery.


The cost for running a plug-in hybrid on electricity alone is similar to using gasoline that costs about 75 cents per gallon, estimates the Electric Power Research Institute. After the first 10 to 40 miles, you’ll be using market-price gasoline.


The environmental impact of plug-ins will depend on the source of the electricity. Energy from current coal-fired powerplants is cleaner than that produced by in-vehicle gasoline engines, but areas around powerplants will likely see a net increase in pollution, says the American Council for an Energy-Efficient America. So-called “clean coal” technology might change that but coal will have to mined. While nuclear, hydro-electric, solar and wind don’t release pollutants, each has its own environmental concerns.


There is aggressive political opposition to building almost every type of powerplant. Nuclear energy has a large number of opponents, but so does coal—even clean coal—and hydro-electric. While many support solar and wind energy, few want acres of solar panels in their backyards or have scenic mountains covered with wind turbines. Plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles will likely play an important role in the future of the automobile. But the future might not come for a decade or two. By then, other technologies may have emerged.

About the Author
Mac Demere is a freelance automotive writer, vehicle tester, driving instructor, accomplished race driver, and precision driver for TV and commercials. He competed in NASCAR Southwest Tour and IMSA Rolex 24 at Daytona. He also holds a journalism degree and has written for several websites, newspapers and magazines including autoMedia.com, Motor Trend, Automobile, and Popular Mechanics.