Environmentalists Push Plug In Hybrids
Hybrids are proving popular choices for people who want to save money on gas and reduce their car’s carbon foot print. Many people say that hybrid cars do not make a significant impact on the environment. Critics claim that hybrids are nothing more than a feel good option dressed up in green paint.
If environmental activists don’t believe the hybrid hype, what cars should a green friendly car driver buy? Environmentalists are now pushing a new option- the plug in hybrid. Plug in hybrids are not being manufactured by major car makers, but there are many mechanics who will perform the conversion.
Plug in hybrids are hybrid vehicles that have been modified to include a rechargeable lithium ion battery. The lithium ion battery comes with an electrical cord that can plugged into any regular 120 volt outlet. If a plug in hybrid is charged regularly, the electrical power becomes the car’s main power source. The gas tank is used only for back up.
Owners of plug in hybrid vehicles claim that their vehicles average gas miles of 150 miles per gallon when driven in the city. The electrical charge will not last for a long distance trip, but the gas tank will allow plug in hybrid owners the security they need if they are on an unexpectedly long commute.
Gas mileage numbers like that are sure to get people’s attention. Plug in hybrid owners say that their cars are quieter, cleaner and much cheaper to operate. The extra electricity to recharge a plug in hybrid’s lithium ion battery costs about $1 a day. A fully charged plug in hybrid car can actually power a house for up to a day in case of power outage.
Many car makers are investigating alternative energy sources for future cars, but environmentalists say that plug in hybrids can be manufactured now. The technology is in place to make wide spread manufacture of plug in hybrids possible, but cities do not have the required infrastructure in place to support a large number of plug in hybrid drivers.
Critics of the move to plug in hybrids have expressed concern that plug in hybrid owners would all charge their vehicles at night, resulting in a strain on the power grid. Critics also allege that energy would have to be bought from other sources and that the creation of electricity would negate any positive environmental effect of driving a plug in hybrid car.
Environmental activists refute this and point to a study by the Natural Resources Defense Council an the Electric Power Research Institute that says that power grids are becoming more efficient and cleaner. The study says that even with increased electrical use, plug in hybrids could reduce emissions in the next 20 years, even if electric companies use coal to generate the needed electricity.
The battle between plug in hybrid enthusiasts and the auto industry shows no sign of slowing down. Plug in hybrids show signs of making inroads, but not due to environmental concerns. In the end, consumers that are tired of paying in excess of $3 a gallon for gas may have the last word
Comment by Jamie Grill on 7 August 2008:
I’d be interested to know how much a mechanic would charge me if I bought a hybrid and had them convert it to a plug-in, and where do you plug the car in at? There are no electrical sockets on the outside of my apartment.