| A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (also called PHEV) is a | | | | "PHEV-50" indicating a 50 mile all-electric range. |
| car that has batteries that can be recharged through | | | | In parts of Europe recharging spots in parking areas |
| a conventional outlet. PHEVs have both traditional | | | | are being installed. These are pay-per use outlets for |
| internal combustion engines and batteries that can | | | | use by people who drive PHEVs and want to get a |
| fully power the car by themselves. The advantage of | | | | full charge for their ride home or to their next |
| PHEVs is that when they run on their electric charge | | | | destination. In fact, a major car maker has plans to |
| only it is estimated they cost about 20-30% of what | | | | install an electric recahrging spot infastructure in parts |
| they would running on gas. Not only does this benefit | | | | of Europe for its fleet of PHEVs. It is possible that as |
| the consumer, it is also great news for the | | | | PHEVs get more mainsteam, many hotels and places |
| environment, as these cars reduce air pollution and | | | | of business may have recharging stations in their |
| the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global | | | | parking lots as well |
| warming. | | | | Despite the fact that carbon emissions are produced |
| The future is bright for plug in hybrids. The first | | | | when electricity is created, PHEVs are still much less |
| PHEVs by large commercial carmakers will be | | | | polluting than conventional cars and even regular |
| produced in 2009, with even more companies | | | | hybrids. If clean coal, nuclear, or other clean means of |
| entering the market in a large way in 2010. Even | | | | producing electricity become more widespead, this |
| today its possible to have a PHEV if you already | | | | difference will be even more pronounced. In addition, |
| have a conventional hybrid vehicle through the use of | | | | PHEVs help create a more efficient and distributed |
| easily obtained conversion kits. In fact, the Prius you | | | | use of electricity production, because they are often |
| saw today may be a converted PHEV! | | | | recharged during off peak periods (e.g. at night). |
| Plug-in hybrids are often driven in what is called | | | | Finally, a little known but powerful potential use of |
| charge-depleting mode at first, exclusively running | | | | PHEVs is as a source of emergency power for the |
| from cheaper and cleaner battery power. At a | | | | home. |
| certain level of the battery's depletion, the internal | | | | Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are soon to become |
| combustion engine kicks in. More advanced PHEVs | | | | available in the mass commercial market, and could |
| may be able to use what is called blended mode, | | | | be a significant means for the reduction of our |
| driving in different modes depending on the maximum | | | | dependence of fossil fuel, our contribution to global |
| energy efficiency that can be achieved on a long trip. | | | | warming, and the financial stress on people who have |
| As of now it is unclear what the all electric range will | | | | to fill their tanks with gas. For these reasons we can |
| be for new PHEVs, but it will be easy to tell: It is | | | | all hope that PHEVs develop into a preferred and |
| likely that PHEVs will come in denominations such as a | | | | widespread means of transportation. |