Benefits Of Plug-In Hybrids Overrated

"According to report co-author James Kliesch, the "electric-then-gasoline" depiction of plug-in operation is not realistic and has contributed to overstatements of the fuel savings potential of plug-ins in the popular media... The ACEEE report estimates fuel savings relative to today's hybrids of 30% for a plug-in with a 20-mile electric-only range and 50% for a 40-mile range."

"(The report) finds that greenhouse gas emissions reductions associated with a plug-in powered by today’s electric grid would be about 15% on average across the nation, ranging from 32% using California electricity to zero using Upper Midwest electricity."

"With high volumes and a drop in nickel prices, the cost of the nickel-metal hydride batteries used in hybrids at present could fall quite dramatically. To reach an appropriate balance of size, weight, and power for a long-range plug-in, however, researchers' bets are on lithium-ion batteries, which still need technological breakthroughs to reach commercial production for plug-in applications."

"Plug-ins represent a major step toward the electrification of the transportation sector, a transition that has tremendous potential to help solve some big problems,” said report co-author Therese Langer. "But realizing this potential means maintaining an all-out effort on advanced batteries and cleaning up electric power generators..."

Thanks to Ned Ford via Sierra Club Energy Forum