Would a car that ran for 30-50 miles between recharges on electricity only, but could switch instantly to conventional hybrid electric mode when the batteries ran low work for your lifestyle?
Some hybrid vehicles can be converted to have a longer electric-only range and recharge overnight, but so far the major auto-makers don't sell that option from the factory. Would you be willing to pay a premium over the price of a conventonal hybrid vehicle to get a 30-50 mile range of electric-only operation (short commute or day shopping) with an electric-only operating cost cheaper than that of a conventional Internal combustion engine or HEV? If so, what factors might influence you? Electric-only range? Initial-cost? Initial-cost versus fuel-savings? Fuel-savings alone? Eco-friendliness?
PHEV's can be both cost-effective, and more eco-friendly! If we can show that market demand is there, perhaps they will come sooner!
2007-04-09 07:52:16 · 7 answers · asked by Jeff A 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Commuting
Yes, I would pay extra. Driving on electricity is far cheaper than paying the price of gasoline. Electric cars can drive for a penny or two per mile, versus 10-15 cents per mile for gasoline. This is not hype - I drive an EV, and this is what I pay. See the sources below for proof. Being able to drive mostly on electricity could save hundreds of dollars per month in fuel savings - which could be applied to the price of the more expensive car.
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Note that plug-in hybrids aren't the same thing as the mild hybrids being sold today. You cannot equate the current crop of hybrids with PHEVs or pure electric vehicles - they are not the same thing.
Plug-in hybrids, and especially serial hybrids, offer consumers much clearer and more definitive cost savings over gas vehicles. This is the sort of hybrid vehicle we should have been sold in the first place. See the link below.
2007-04-09 08:22:06 · answer #1 · answered by apeweek 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Plug-in Hybrids are the best near future contenders to reduce our oil dependence. Current alternatives like ethanol and hydrogen just won't work in the near future. We could never produce enough ethanol even if every ear of corn were turned into fuel, and hydrogen is just too tough to manufacturer, store and transport.
With a plug-in hybrid, we don't have to create a new refining and supply network for alternative fuels. It's technology that already exists today. It doesn't have the range limitations of straight electric.
Most people would charge them at night, when electricity is cheaper and power plants are underutilized. Those areas that get their power from nuclear, hydro or other renewables would be zero emissions for the first X miles. Even areas with newer fossil fuel plants would be better for the environment than all of those cars with straight gas engines.
It doesn't even have to be the golden 40 miles before the gas engine kicks in. Even 10 or 20 miles would be awesome. 20 miles on batteries would complete about 2/3rds of my daily commute, before burning a drop of gas.
Hell yes I'd pay extra! I think $3k to $5k extra for PHEV vs. regular gas engine car is worth it. See the link below for more info about PHEVs.
PS.....I believe global warming is a crock. But this technology is still very worthwhile to reduce pollution and our dependence on foreign oil.
2007-04-12 11:34:57 · answer #2 · answered by Uncle Pennybags 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Chevy Volt, scheduled for 2010 is hybrid electric powered motor vehicle which ability it is going to take you 40 miles on you cost, then swap to gasoline (a type prolonged electric powered motor vehicle) for the added distance. So in case you only went 60 miles it might have an mpg of a hundred and fifty miles. top speed is over 100mph. the suggestion to attend looks particularly reliable, the Toyota A-BAT in the previous stated would be effective whilst released. Saturn could have a Vue 2 mode plugin in a pair of years, Volvo could have a plugin, and Dana1981 links are large. the appropriate issue is the fee of the battery to take you over 50 miles. they are lots extra value effective to fabricate/purchase on the 40 miles variety, consequently the rationalization why some others value >$100k
2016-10-28 06:47:22 · answer #3 · answered by munley 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, I want my three wheel Russian motorcycle converted to run on LPG which, as reader knows, is made from oil
or natural gas. Who, pray tell, are the biggest exporters of natural gas? I understand the US Government new vehicle
procurement is replacing its petrol fleets with CNG & LPG.
Why is that, sonny? If the Federals want to keep Americans on a short leash what better than the proposed 'plug-in'.
2007-04-12 16:32:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. I drive an EV now and get 4 miles / KWH. My typical commute is less than 25 miles. I expect I would get 10,000 EV miles with a PHEV. At $3.00 / gallon the savings would be about $500 / year.
Plus, I would not have to buy as much gas from countries that would want to kill me.
2007-04-12 05:46:58 · answer #5 · answered by Richard Babkowski 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Automobile manufacturers of hybrid and/or electric vehicles in the U.S. are engaging in fraudulent advertising. Do not believe one word that see written. The most offensive company in the marketplace is AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR COMPANY. Their hybrid cars are running at or below the fuel efficiency levels of their non-hybrid counterparts. It's a scam and the Attorneys General of each state in the U.S. need to open a massive investigation!
I have started a Yahoo! Groups dedicated at exposing HYBRID FRAUD. Please join me if you are interested in putting an end to yet another example of corporate corruption!
2007-04-09 12:42:50 · answer #6 · answered by BRIT HODGES 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Absolutely, anything to keep me from needing oil from hostile parts of the country is something that I would seriously consider purchasing
2007-04-09 18:03:14 · answer #7 · answered by cthomp99 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋