Right Lane Cruiser
04-22-2009, 08:03 AM
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg “The big question is can you make the battery better.” (http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000003098440)
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Toyota_Prius_II_OEM_PHEV_Plug.jpgElizabeth Wasserman - CQ Politics (http://www.cqpolitics.com) - April 19, 2009
The faster we can convert to electric transportation, the better. --Ed.
When the average cost of a gallon of gasoline breached $4 last summer, consumers of all stripes were forced to confront alternative-energy strategies. Commuters who previously hadn’t considered buying hybrid, alternative-fuel or electric vehicles suddenly began debating whether to take the plunge. And although a variety of flexible-fuel, hybrid, diesel and natural gas technologies existed for vehicles, it took last fall’s stimulus package to create a fresh economic incentive. The law included tax credits of $2,500 to $7,500 to the first 200,000 purchasers of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Congress bumped up the number of eligible purchases to 200,000 per manufacturer when it enacted the recent stimulus package.
“We believe up to 2 million cars could be covered now based on the announcements from manufacturers,” said Jay Friedland, legislative director of Plug In America, a nonprofit that promotes the use of electric vehicles.
There are three classes of electric vehicles:
• Existing hybrids. These are primarily gas-powered hybrids that have already been integrated into the vehicle fleet, such as the Toyota Prius, Chevy Tahoe and Ford Escape. The vehicles feature a gasoline engine working in tandem with a small electric motor that allows the gas engine to shut off periodically to conserve fuel. When the cars brake, an electric system captures the braking energy and stores it in a nickel metal hydride battery for use later. This type of vehicle can offer fuel-
efficiency savings of 50 percent or more but still requires gasoline to power the electrical components. Purchasers of these vehicles are eligible for tax credits enacted as part of the 2005 energy law.
• Plug-in hybrid. This variety relies on more battery power. Drivers plug these autos into electrical outlets in order to charge the vehicle batteries overnight. In contrast to the existing hybrids, these concept cars actually will displace some of the... http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000003098440
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Toyota_Prius_II_OEM_PHEV_Plug.jpgElizabeth Wasserman - CQ Politics (http://www.cqpolitics.com) - April 19, 2009
The faster we can convert to electric transportation, the better. --Ed.
When the average cost of a gallon of gasoline breached $4 last summer, consumers of all stripes were forced to confront alternative-energy strategies. Commuters who previously hadn’t considered buying hybrid, alternative-fuel or electric vehicles suddenly began debating whether to take the plunge. And although a variety of flexible-fuel, hybrid, diesel and natural gas technologies existed for vehicles, it took last fall’s stimulus package to create a fresh economic incentive. The law included tax credits of $2,500 to $7,500 to the first 200,000 purchasers of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Congress bumped up the number of eligible purchases to 200,000 per manufacturer when it enacted the recent stimulus package.
“We believe up to 2 million cars could be covered now based on the announcements from manufacturers,” said Jay Friedland, legislative director of Plug In America, a nonprofit that promotes the use of electric vehicles.
There are three classes of electric vehicles:
• Existing hybrids. These are primarily gas-powered hybrids that have already been integrated into the vehicle fleet, such as the Toyota Prius, Chevy Tahoe and Ford Escape. The vehicles feature a gasoline engine working in tandem with a small electric motor that allows the gas engine to shut off periodically to conserve fuel. When the cars brake, an electric system captures the braking energy and stores it in a nickel metal hydride battery for use later. This type of vehicle can offer fuel-
efficiency savings of 50 percent or more but still requires gasoline to power the electrical components. Purchasers of these vehicles are eligible for tax credits enacted as part of the 2005 energy law.
• Plug-in hybrid. This variety relies on more battery power. Drivers plug these autos into electrical outlets in order to charge the vehicle batteries overnight. In contrast to the existing hybrids, these concept cars actually will displace some of the... http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000003098440