3 Months Ago, Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) from Hybrid Cars says (in Top Ten Prius proves need for hybrid tax credits?) Why?

Certainly, such a credit would hurt US automakers in the short term, but nothing breeds change like necessity. Besides, if plug-in hybrids are going anywhere, a lot more conventional hybrids are going to get there first, and both hybrid types can share battery technology.

And Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) from Hybrid Cars says (in No super grid for PHEVs needed in many areas) A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about how one utility executive claimed that 3 - 5 plug-ins in one neighborhood could "overwhelm" the grid. Well, that's California. In other areas the situation is not so dire for plug-in hybrid vehicles.

And Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) from Hybrid Cars says (in Gassy: Making sense of Fisker plug-in hype) The Model T of the plug-in hybrid?

Or, perhaps these luxury plug-in automakers are simply using luxury plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles to bridge to $50,000 'economic' versions that can compete with a Chevy Volt, a plug-in Toyota Prius, or a Nissan Leaf, etc in 2015?

And Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) from Hybrid Cars says (in A few UM plug-in study thoughts) However, that will have to change if Toyota is to achieve its 30 percent hybrid sales goal by 2020. And, if they can achieve this goal, imagine how many potential plug-in hybrid consumers Toyota will have in its pipeline just as plug-ins start achieving scalability.

And Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) from Hybrid Cars says (in Utilities pledge to strengthen grid for plug-ins) The future of American transportation?

Yesterday, at the Business of Plugging in Conference in Detroit, the CEO of PG&E warned that even a small number of plug-in hybrid vehicles could overwhelm the electric grid if overly localized in one area and charged during peak hours.

4 Months Ago, Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) from Hybrid Cars says (in Aluminum hybrids $3,000 cheaper?) By upgrading from traditional steel to an advanced aluminum body structure, the vehicle's stored energy requirements can be cut by about 10 percent, which could save up to US$3,000 per vehicle since less power and energy is required to move the lighter vehicle," Michael Bull, director...

And Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) from Hybrid Cars says (in Aptera almost eligible for Energy loans) On Friday, Congress passed a bill that allows "any manufacturer of enclosed three-wheeled vehicles that can carry at least two adults while returning at least 75 miles per gallon" to be eligible for some $50 billion on Energy loans for fuel efficiency improving projects.

And Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) from Hybrid Cars says (in The perfect hybrid) Is the Toyota Prius the perfect hybrid? What if you added some extra batteries and a plug, would that make the Prius the perfect hybrid? How much electric range should it have, as much as possible?

Is 40 miles of electric range the key to plug-in hybrids, such as GM's Chevy Volt is expected to...

And Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) from Hybrid Cars says (in Plug-in Prius: The end of Toyota?) Transportation program director at the Natural Resources Defense Council, Roland Hwang, told the NYTimes, "From an environmental perspective, the more [electric] range the better."

Is Toyota being too conservative with its plug-in hybrid technology?

And Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) from Hybrid Cars says (in The irreconcilable EV dichotomy?) Sure, the Toyota FT-EV II electric car is odd, but is it practical? Is it cost-effective compared to other electric vehicles or even gasoline vehicles?

One the other hand, one week luxury vehicle maker Audi is slamming the Chevy Volt, the next week they are announcing plans for the Audi E-...

And Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) from Hybrid Cars says (in GM fights Energy Department funding for Aptera?) So, the government has pumped tens of billions into GM. Likewise, GM has requested at least an additional $10 billion in loans from the Energy Department.

Maybe if GM focused more on innovation rather than lobbying Congress, they could have pulled a Ford and stood strong during this recess...

5 Months Ago, Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) from Hybrid Cars says (in BYD: A legitimate hybrid killer) Certainly, it will take time for BYD to appeal to US consumers, however, when this does happen - and it will happen - China could become a killer of American hybrid cars and electric vehicles. Not only will BYD have access to cheaper battery and auto manufacturing capabilites, but also bett...

And Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) from Hybrid Cars says (in Poll: Most Americans won't buy PHEVs) A Prius before plug-in conversion

Just build plug-in hybrids and they will come?

I guess Bob Lutz knows exactly what he's talking about when he claims that only 5 percent of US auto consumers are willing to buy plug-in hybrids such as the Chevy Volt.

6 Months Ago, Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) from Hybrid Cars says (in Vue / Buick plug-in hybrid killed again?) Vue plug-in hybrid killed twice

Earlier this year I was invited to test drive the dual mode Saturn Vue hybrid, and I was excited. This was the first GM full hybrid that I could at least consider buying. Moreover, the Vue hybrid was destined to become a plug-in hybrid.

And Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) from Hybrid Cars says (in For media only: Buick plug-in hybrid) The Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid lives

We've known for some time that GM was going to build a plug-in hybrid SUV. Originally, the Saturn Vue was going to be the platform for GM's dual mode plug-in hybrid powertrain, but then GM killed Saturn.

Have GM's hybrids and plug-ins become a joke?

And Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) from Hybrid Cars says (in Aptera 2e steps closer to production) The final touches are being added to the Aptera 2e electric vehicle, which is scheduled to begin production this year. Aptera has released this sketch of the latest interior design.

In 2010, Aptera will also roll out the plug-in hybrid version of the Aptera.

7 Months Ago, Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) from Hybrid Cars says (in Can GM's hybrids live up to the hype?) I read a few stories this morning on how GM has again confirmed that the technology that was to power the Saturn Vue hybrid, including the plug-in version, will live. Whoohoo!

In the last several years GM has gone from slamming hybrids like the Toyota Prius to claiming that their hybrid tech...

And Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) from Hybrid Cars says (in Waiting for the EV revolution? Grab a comfy chair) And analysis by Bosch Automotive Group suggests the same. "The electric car will come, but in small numbers at first. It will occupy a niche and will not make a noticeable mark on the roads until after 2020." Ultimately, "dominance of the internal-combustion engine will remain unchallenge...

8 Months Ago, Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) from Hybrid Cars says (in 2012: GM's hybrid offensive begins?) Ultimately, however, there are still some key questions. First, can an updated BAS System with lithium really make GM's mild hybrids that much more compelling? Second, will the dual mode hybrid powertrain ever be cost-effective, especially in smaller SUVs and crossovers that might no...

And Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) from Hybrid Cars says (in Is the US auto industry headed in the right direction?) America's most notable future product, in terms of fuel efficiency, is the Chevy Volt. Yet, the Volt's most important piece of technology, the lithium battery, is based on South Korea's LG Chem chemistry. Interestingly, LG Chem is also developing the cells to power Hyundai hybrids, anot...

9 Months Ago, Dahcredyns(noreply@blogger.com) from Hybrid Cars says (in Can VW turn BYD hybrid cars from dream to reality?) Of course, BYD still doesn't have a history of quality car making, so BYD's big future still seems far into the future - which makes the news of a potential partnership between VW and BYD quite compelling. If BYD has hammered out the kinks of its hybrid vehicles, especially its lithium batte...