PHEV

I was disgusted this morning to see the “news” on yahoo’s main page, with the headline of “Most dangerous kind of car on the road?” and “These cars are invisible.” Here's a little debunking for you.

The Hymotion by A123Systems is a PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) module that has just rolled out that will enable Toyota Prius owners to achieve 100 mpg.

Carnegie Mellon just put out a new study discussing the GHG impact of conventional cars, hybrids, and plug-ins. The most interesting conclusion is that unless we clean up the grid, PHEVs aren't really worth that much. Still beat the pants of standard cars though!

Oak Ridge National Laboratory found that nighttime charging of plug-in hybrids would not increase electricity demand over baseline levels. But if owners charge their vehicles during the day, it could require the construction of 160 new power plants.

Not everyone is waiting until 2010 to get their first plug-in hybrid. As I reported previously, Hybrids Plus out of Boulder, CO, is offering conversions for the Toyota Prius and Ford Escape hybrids, turning them into 100 MPG+ superstars. Check them out...

French analysts have concluded that the wild popularity of gasoline-hybrid electric vehicles in the United States could potentially hinder development of more sustainable and advanced green vehicles.

For under $30,000, you will soon be able to buy an electric car with a 120 mile range, or a plug-in hybrid that gets 300 miles-per-gallon.Sound like a fantasy, but this one could be coming to a dealer near you. Slated for release in 2008 [see story].

While plug-in hybrids offer great increases in fuel efficiency, they may come at a surprising cost: water. A recent study from Environmental Science & Technology found that plug-ins require the consumption of 3 times more water, and the withdrawal of 17 times more water, than their gasoline counterparts.

55 MPG isn’t good enough for you? Then try adding a plug to your hybrid.

The electric-car company ZAP, in conjunction with Hybrids Plus, has announced it will offer $24,000 plug-in hybrid conversions for the Toyota Prius and the Ford Escape Hybrid.

V2Green of Seattle is collaborating with Austin Energy for Smart Charging of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles that will enable the grid to charge the PHEVs only during off-peak hours and only using renewable energy.

The Visionary Vehicles EVX / LS plug-in hybrid vehicle is set to compete with other luxury cars on price while achieving 100 mpg.

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.