Valence
Technology has
partnered with EnergyCS to
produce a plug-in Prius hybrid
for the city of Sacramento to
test for fleet viability.
Likewise, Canada's Manitoba
Hydro is also testing
plug-in hybrid vehicles and
their impact on the electric
grid.
While it is great these developments are occurring, it seems plug-in hybrid technology is still a couple of years away from reality, and I hope that fact doesn't stymie hybrid investment.
The technology powering plug-ins, particularly lithium-ion batteries, will rapidly evolve in the next decade. A fleet of plug-in hybrids might not be cost-effective for cities such as Sacramento in the short term. Nonetheless, current hybrid vehicles certainly are cost effective today for Sacramento, and their purchase helps invest in the future of plug-in hybrids, which will definitely be cost effective in the future.
While it is great these developments are occurring, it seems plug-in hybrid technology is still a couple of years away from reality, and I hope that fact doesn't stymie hybrid investment.
The technology powering plug-ins, particularly lithium-ion batteries, will rapidly evolve in the next decade. A fleet of plug-in hybrids might not be cost-effective for cities such as Sacramento in the short term. Nonetheless, current hybrid vehicles certainly are cost effective today for Sacramento, and their purchase helps invest in the future of plug-in hybrids, which will definitely be cost effective in the future.
