plug-in hybrid

Students at the University of California Davis Hybrid Vehicle Research Center have been creating plug-in hybrids for national competitions for some time. "Team Fate" members Jungers and Kaufman describe how they "gut" the drive train of a standard vehicle, replacing it with an electric motor, a bank of batteries, continuously variable transmission, and some smart electronics. The resulting vehicle runs on electricity, assisted by a much smaller flex-fuel internal combustion engine only when needed.

The scientists from the University of Delaware created an electric car prototype that runs on electricity alone. The great fact is that it also can, theoretically, earn money for its owner by storing electricity and providing it for utilities when needed.

The Bush administration has just announced extra funding to support the development of plug-in hybrid vehicles. So why are we not cheering? The funding given by the government will amount to a pathetic $30 million, spread between three years. $10 million a year – roughly equivalent to what the Pentagon spends on stationery!

Hybrid Technologies plans to produce two models of this beauty, an all electric that will have a range of 150-180 miles, and a plug-in hybrid model that will boast a 220 mile per gallon efficiency & over 600hp! While this is still a concept, they claim it will be a reality very soon...

AFS Trinity Power has developed two fully operational XH-150 SUV prototypes using off-the-shelf components that make it possible for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles to achieve 150 MPG, go 40 miles in all-electric mode, and use gasoline for additional unlimited miles in hybrid mode. The low-cost lithium batteries -- protected from excessive resistive heating by the ultracapacitors -- will make the XH-150 much less expensive to purchase.

Could electricity become a feasible, affordable fuel for vehicles?

Sign up to let GM know that we want the Volt now! The site also lists basic data from those that have signed up in the past- it is amazing how many different areas of the world the Volt is known in.

ExxonMobil recently reported the largest quarterly profit for any corporation in American history yet the government still hands out subsidies to oil and gas corporations. Tell the Senate that this should be diverted to renewable sources of energy!

Saturn anticipates the production of its plug-in hybrid electric version Vue Green Line to begin as early as 2010, potentially making it the firstcommercially available vehicle of its kind. Saturn officials also say they expect the Vue plug-in hybrid to be the most fuel-efficient vehicle offered by a major automaker.

Hank Courtright, Sr. Vice President, Member Services, Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), describes how technology can help address climate change, including nuclear, efficiency, rooftop solar and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Fisker Automotive announced the release of their first of many environmental friendly premium car, at the 2008

A number of enterprising engineers have figured out how to power essentials in their home from a plug-in Prius during blackouts. That could be a precursor to what's to come in a much bigger way with fuel cells, when we could make power plants obsolete, or at least reduce need!

John E. Bryson, Chairman & CEO, Edison International; Alan Mulally, President & CEO, Ford Motor Company announce a partnership to explore
ways to make plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV) more accessible and affordable to consumers, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the cost-effectiveness of the nation's electricity grid.

Video: do these things work?