I urge all readers of these lively threads to view our Fact Sheet, found at http://www.priusplus.org/ -- paying special attention to the fact that our MPG results must be combined with the electricity used. Also look at the new section at our vehicles page where we document the benefits of PHEVs even when they're recharged from a dirty (coal-fueled) grid.
Current hybrids are cleaner and more efficient, but ultimately all their power comes from gasoline. The next generation of hybrids are grid-connected, plug-optional. They combine the best features of electric cars with the unlimited range of gasoline vehicles. Car companies are skeptical there's a market for them, and journalists, pundits and even many environmental groups are so far following their lead. The nonprofit California Cars Initiative is aiming to prove the opposite...starting with conversions of a few 2004 Priuses. (Maybe you heard us on NPR's Living On Earth last week.)
PHEVs are the logical transitional vehicle to hydrogen fuel-cell cars (if and when they are practical) because it's easier and cheaper to store and transmit electrons than molecules, so the hydrogen should be used only as a range extender.
They're based entirely on proven technology. There's a lot more to say about them. Check out more at www.calcars.org or www.priusplus.org
Slashdot Mirror
I urge all readers of these lively threads to view our Fact Sheet, found at http://www.priusplus.org/ -- paying special attention to the fact that our MPG results must be combined with the electricity used.
Also look at the new section at our vehicles page where we document the benefits of PHEVs even when they're recharged from a dirty (coal-fueled) grid.
We've added a link to this discussion at http://www.calcars.org/kudos.html
Felix Kramer, Founder, CalCars
Current hybrids are cleaner and more efficient, but ultimately all their power comes from gasoline. The next generation of hybrids are grid-connected, plug-optional. They combine the best features of electric cars with the unlimited range of gasoline vehicles. Car companies are skeptical there's a market for them, and journalists, pundits and even many environmental groups are so far following their lead. The nonprofit California Cars Initiative is aiming to prove the opposite...starting with conversions of a few 2004 Priuses. (Maybe you heard us on NPR's Living On Earth last week.) PHEVs are the logical transitional vehicle to hydrogen fuel-cell cars (if and when they are practical) because it's easier and cheaper to store and transmit electrons than molecules, so the hydrogen should be used only as a range extender. They're based entirely on proven technology. There's a lot more to say about them. Check out more at www.calcars.org or www.priusplus.org