A Comprehensive Guide to Plug-in Hybrids

What Is A Plug-in Hybrid Car?

A plug-in hybrid car is similar to a conventional hybrid vehicle—both use a gasoline engine as well as an electric motor. However, a plug-in hybrid uses larger battery packs that can be recharged by connecting to common household electricity. Plug-in hybrids can be driven for long distances—from a few miles to as much as 40 miles—without using any gasoline.

Toyota has demonstrated a plug-in concept version of the Prius, and anticipates first-year production of 20,000 to 30,000 units in 2012.

Plug-in hybrids provide the benefits of an electric car, while maintaining the same driving range as conventional vehicles. Plug-in hybrid drivers travel in an all-electric mode for the vast majority of common local driving. When the battery’s electric charge is depleted, a downsized gas engine is used to either recharge the batteries (as the car moves), or as the primary source of propulsion until recharging the batteries via a plug.
Plug-in hybrid cars are also known as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles or PHEVs. Plug-in hybrid cars that use a gas engine exclusively for recharging batteries—rather than directly powering the wheels—are also called Extended-Range Electric Vehicles or E-REVs.

ComparisonCompare a Plug-in Hybrid to Standard Hybrid

Point your mouse to the image to compare a plug-in hybrid to a standard hybrid.

Plug-in hybrid cars have considerable fuel efficiency benefits compared to other vehicles:

A hybrid car, depending on the model, achieves about twice the fuel economy as a conventional car of the same size and capacity
A plug-in hybrid car can obtain about twice the fuel economy of a conventional hybrid
A plug-in hybrid, running on biofuel (e.g., 85-percent ethanol or biodiesel) could almost entirely eliminate its use of petroleum

Availability of Plug-in Hybrids

Despite all the media attention about plug-in hybrids, it’s still not yet possible for an individual consumer to buy one. A few plug-in hybrids have been produced for testing in commercial fleets and government agencies. Many major automakers have produced concept prototype plug-in hybrids for display at international auto shows, but only a handful of carmakers have committed to a specific production date for these vehicles.
The following plug-in hybrids are scheduled for production:

Name	EV Range	Type	MSRP	Available
Chevrolet VoltAll-electric gas-free driving for 40-mile stretches.	40 miles	Sedan	$39,100	Now
Fisker KarmaThe rear-wheel drive sporty plug-in hybrid from designer Henrik Fisker.	50 miles	Luxury	$96,000	2011
Ford Escape Plug-in HybridThe proven fuel-efficient SUV hybrid will come with a plug in 2012.	30 miles	SUV	n/a	2012
Volvo V70 Plug-in HybridVolvo appears serious about producing a plug-in hybrid wagon with 30 or miles of electric range.	30 miles	Van/Wagon	n/a	2012
Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid ReviewToyota will begin delivery of the Prius Plug-in Hybrid in March of 2012.	10 miles	Sedan	$32,000	2012
Ford C-MAX EnergiThe segment-busting almost-a-van vehicle will offer 40+ mpg, but only five seats as a plug-in hybrid.	n/a	Sedan	n/a	2012
Mitsubishi PX-MiEVThis mid-sized SUV plug-in hybrid has triple-threat functionality as a pure electric, a series hybrid, and a parallel hybrid. Result: About 120 mpg.	30 miles	SUV	n/a	Concept

Common Plug-in Hybrid Criticisms, And Responses

“I have always felt it was possible to build a car that gets more than 100 miles per gallon. It’s what this country needs: To build a car with high performance and all the fun factors of a conventional car, but have it run on electricity.”

Dr. Andy Frank
Widely considered the father of the modern plug-in hybrid

The extra batteries weigh too much.
Response: The extra weight of the batteries will be offset somewhat by the reduced weight of the gas engine. At high speeds in particular, fuel efficiency is affected primarily by aerodynamics—the MPG is minimally affected by the added weight roughly equivalent of one or two additional passengers.
The extra batteries cost too much.
Response: If sold in high volumes by carmakers, more powerful and cheaper nickel metal hydride or lithium ion batteries could be sold at prices only a few thousand dollars above that of today’s hybrids. Recharging will take place mostly at night during cheaper off-peak hours. Counting purchases, fuel and service, total lifetime cost of ownership is lower than a gas car.
Producing power from the grid (to charge the cars) will produce additional emissions.
Response: What the industry calls "well-to-wheel" emissions (including greenhouse gases) for grid-powered vehicles is far lower than gasoline, even for the American power grid (which is 50 percent coal). Cars charging off-peak will use power from plants that can't turn off at night. Many parts of the country get most of their power from cleaner sources such as natural gas and hydropower. It's far easier to improve centralized power stations than millions of aging cars. Finally, plug-in hybrids recharged from rooftop photovoltaic systems would have virtually zero emission.

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http://www.hybridcars.com/

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