The *New York Times *has an article today casting doubt on the viability of plug-in hybrids in the short term, but some of their assumptions seem detached from reality.
The article says plug-in hybrids are "miles" from becoming reality and states that a plug-in hybrid would cost $20,000 more than a gasoine vehicle.
Well, according to the CalCars Prius+ project, doing a retrofit with zero economies of scale or discount from battery companies, they can convert a car for about $10,000. I agree with their projection that an auto company would be able to efficiently design a vehicle at about half that incremental cost.
Yes, there are limitations to both nickel metal hydride and lithium ion batteries today, but that could change very quickly because of interest from the electric companies and start-ups. Many utilities and cities have signed on in support of plug-in hybrids, and companies like GE (yes, GE, not GM), which is investing in technology for fuel cell vehicles, want a piece of the huge transportation vehicle and energy pies.
The competition between the oil companies and electric companies will result in cleaner and more cost-efficient choices for consumers, and that we can all be happy about.
