December 4, 2005 – Vol.10 No.37

PLUG-IN HYBRIDS: A GROWING POSSIBILITY?

The adoption and commercialization of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) by the world’s automobile companies could create a sea change in the way energy is utilized for car as well as home. The technology, though expensive, could lead to any number of new possibilities to cut fuel consumption and emissions, increase energy security and, for businesses, make money.

Here’s a few ideas:

--- A PHEV could be recharged from home or business solar electric system instead of a fossil fuel energized power grid connection.

--- With safe and robust electrical connections a PHEV could provide back-up, nighttime and cloudy-day power for solar electric homes.

--- Recharged at night , a PHEV would make use of base load power that’s being generated by power companies but not consumed. (And possibly make money for those companies.)

--- Gasoline-fueled PHEVs adapted to run ethanol blends such as E85 could extend GASOLINE fuel economy to the hundreds of miles per gallon (with the ethanol fuel component of 85 percent making up the remainder). Given the size of the U.S. agricultural industry, the nation could close in on energy independence.

--- A diesel powered PHEV would allow for BIODIESEL fueling. Though expensive (PHEV technology plus diesel engine) the extreme fuel economy might turn the high-cost factor around. And as above, given the size of the U.S. agricultural industry, the nation could approach energy independence if not meet it.

--- Though conventional diesel cars may not meet emission standards in a handful of states, dramatically reduced emissions from diesel PHEVs would eventually, and with rule changes, allow them to meet those requirements.

The effort to move auto manufacturers towards PHEVs has been ramped up a notch with the creation of the Plug-in Hybrid Development Consortium. Consortium members plan to develop compatible components, a cost-effective working design and work with major original equipment manufacturers to build a proof-of-concept 5-passenger PHEV that achieves 100 - 200 miles per gallon petroleum economy by driving the first 20 - 50 miles in all-electric, zero-emission mode. Visit the Plug-in Hybrid Development Consortium http://www.hybridconsortium.org/

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