Scientists Back Plug-In Hybrids

[jpak]

http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/tech/2006/may/17/051707887.html

WASHINGTON (AP) - A group of scientists urged Congress on Wednesday to fund research for plug-in hybrid vehicles, touting the technology as another way to reduce the nation's dependence on oil through the help of a simple electrical socket.

With high gas prices straining some Americans' budgets, advocates of the alternative vehicles told a House committee that plug-in hybrids could reduce gasoline consumption and reduce air emissions. And while ethanol-fueled vehicles will require a better network of fueling pumps, a plug-in hybrid car could recharge at home.

"To think that you could pull into your garage at the end of the day and 'fill 'er up' just by plugging your car into a regular, 110-volt socket in the garage is very appealing," said Rep. Judy Biggert, R-Ill., chairwoman of the House Science subcommittee on energy.

Plug-in hybrids combine hybrid technology - which uses both gasoline and electric power - with large batteries that can be plugged into a standard wall socket. To help learn more about the vehicles, Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, said he would introduce legislation to provide $250 million in grants to research battery technology and develop a fleet of demonstration plug-in vehicles that could be further tested.

<more>

[phantom power]

1. I wonder about the "budget" argument.

After all, electricity prices are going up too. I still think it's a profitable direction to move in, but it's only a win for a family budget if electricity prices stabilize.

Mass-transit and/or walking or biking are probably more budget-friendly under a variety of future conditions.

[One_Life_To_Give]

17. With supplemental wind turbine

I like the idea of a plug in Hybrid. Combined with supplemental wind power at the point of charging it's a relatively green means of transportation.

[phantom power]

18. Yes, but is it less expensive than fuel?

[Warpy]

2. You have to consider the costs of battery replacement

and the hazardous waste disposal problem large scale use will create when you figure in the cost of electric and/or hybrid cars.

There is going to have to be a massive recycling industry for them, and soon.

Personally, I'd prefer to see compressed air hybrids developed. Filling up at an air compressor isn't quite as slick as plugging it into an electical socket in one's garage. but the refill time is a whole lot less.

Don't get me wrong, I adore my electric moped. I love the quiet motor, the lack of stinky oil fumes, and the fact that I won't need to pick apart a gas motor when it needs to be rebuilt. They battery packs are small and can be recycled now.

There are just other factors besides where to plug it in between trips to consider.

[Ready4Change]

13. Many batteries and materials are recyclable.

I too was concerned about this, until someone asked me why I got a core refund for my old car battery when I bought a new one? Because the old materials get reprocessed into new batteries. It's not an entirely closed loop process, but it's not bad, and it will be even better when hybrid owners learn what discounts they (should) earn when they turn in their old battery packs.

[orwell]

3. All of a sudden...

...Republicons are "Green." Of course when Bushie could have raised CAFE standards when the Dems were in charge of Congress, conservation was a "personal virtue."

I guess an election year with skyrocketing energy prices and tanking poll numbers really gets your attention.

(Would this be another in a long line of flip flops?)

By the way, Texas is looking at raising the speed limit to 80. Maybe they should clue ol' Judy Biggert in on the latest talking points.

[Dead_Parrot]

4. OK, I'm confused

What, exactly, needs researching? If they mean "research into new batteries for plug-ins", then fair enough: but creating a PHEV is hardly unknown territory - there are several off-the-shelf kits for converting a Prius available now (if you don't mind losing your warranty). It's like urging congress to research the radio, or invent the wheel.

Unless I'm missing something...?

[jpak]

6. There is a barrel of pork to be delivered to some lucky constituent

i believe.

Now, when they make plug-in-flex-fuel/biodiesel-hybrids, they might be on to something...

[Dead_Parrot]

8. Yeah...

Researching how much money you can cream from the budget for research. :(

Saab have a flexifuel hybrid at the concept stage, although I don't think they're planning production until 2010. :(

[ThoughtCriminal]

5. I'd like a pure electric for short trips

Usually I make one trip a day - about 5-6 miles round trip on residential streets. A street-legal enhanced golf cart might be the thing. I've also considered a bicycles, but there is a considerable hill and frequently a large and/or heavy package that deters me.

[hunter]

7. You could make the speed limit on all city streets 35mph.

Then you could make city cars optimized for that speed.

If these high mpg or electric city cars were "cool" enough, and it was easy to rent conventional cars for use on the interstate highways (say for going on family vacations) then we could substantially reduce our use of fuel.

[phantom power]

9. And at 35mph, you could use bikes without fearing for your life

[Dead_Parrot]

21. Nah...

I can still mow down cyclists at 20mph. It's all a question of timing. :evilgrin:

[Strelnikov_]

16. I Would Like A Twike

If it didn't cost as much as a Prius, and were actually available. Designed around the bicycle (the most efficient form of transportation) with three wheels for stability and a cover for four season climates. Good concept, poor execution (an idea waiting for a market?).

My transportation needs are similar to yours, with the exception that I generally go six days a week without firing up the car since I am able to ride my bike to work. The four season climate has made this a challenge. Also, my approach is not practical for most.

Whatever happens, we are going to need a low energy way to transport people over the distances in suburbia. We spent 70+ years building it, and it is going to take a long time to retrofit it.

Maybe a future of plug-in EV's with rented removable or trailer mounted fuel cell power packs for extension of range for the occasional trip to Grandma's. Why removable? to eliminate dragging around the weight for a power source only occasionally used, the main drawback I see in IC PHEV's.

Following is a picture of a 3 kW fuel cell, about big enough for the Twike, under development.

[yellowcanine]

10. Plug in diesel hybrid with solar panels on the roof, hood and trunk.

Fill it up with used vegetable oil and you pretty much have all the bases covered.

[hughee99]

11. Great...

Rather than your car polluting the environment, you can plug it in and let the power plant that provides the electricity pollute the environment a little more. Then the power companies can apply for tax breaks because they're powering your earth friendly car. The power company gets a tax break, some might feel like their helping the environment, and meanwhile the earth is no better off.

[Dead_Parrot]

12. But US power generation needs fixing anyway

This approach would turn two problems into one - which already has a number of solutions, even if they aren't being implemented. Besides, in the rest of the world, a lot of countries that have "greener" power production would have an immediate benefit in emmisions: I'd certainly welcome the chance to switch my own car from gas to hydro... :)

[GreenPartyVoter]

14. A solar panel or two would help with that

[rfkrfk]

15. the US is not the whole world

IMO, the US is the worst place for the
first sales.

consider France, if the car would be charged-up off peak,
nuclear power would be used, emitting no CO2

off peak electrical demand, is a good match for wind power.

there are probably lots of places, where the electric
production is more enviro friendly than
the US.

[hughee99]

19. I agree

that the US would not be a good place to implement this initially but it seems like this was being discussed specifically by our officials, not as a proposal for France or any other country.

[Dead_Parrot]

20. It would depend what they did with it

Ford and GM are pretty global, so if they picked up the technology a lot of people could benefit. Chrysler are less well known outside of the US (apart from Mercs) so would be less useful.

Of course, why they can't fund thier own damn research is another matter...