Plugging-in to a better tomorrow?

Chevy is tantalizing those of us who wish for a better energy future dominated by American technology, American workers, and a stronger American

 economy.  The Chevy VOLT concept for a stylish, plug-in hybrid, would transform the automobile market while leaping the nation forward in our ability to reduce our dependence on (imported) oil. 

There are a number of efforts seeking to move the agenda forward in terms of PHEVs. 

And, as noted by Janis Mara, they are getting ever more attention … from business and political leaders with a meeting scheduled for 10 April in Silicon valley to find a path forward.

Austin, TX, is seeking to develop a broad-based support effort from major American cities for PHEVs and the ability to develop a V2G (vehicle-to-grid), which would enable PHEVs to serve as a storage/backup system that would help enable flattening out demand curves for electricity. And, which could provide a more robust electricity system, with local power storage in the event of some form of disruption to the grid (whether natural or man-made disaster).   

The Electric Vehicle Association of DC is one of the sponsors of the Power of DC show which will have electric vehicles in the DC area 2-3 June, including the annual drag race.

 In fact, it is possible to buy a PHEV right now via, for example, EDrive. 

With an EDrive upgrade installed in your 2004 or later year Toyota Prius, you won’t miss those trips to the gas station as your daily commute driving range expands to well over 1000 miles per fill-up. EDrive allows a substantial amount of gasoline to be displaced by electricity when you charge nightly and drive locally. Using any 110-volt wall socket, your EDrive Prius can be plugged in overnight to recharge an expanded lithium-ion battery system. With a full charge, expect to see over 100 miles per gallon for the first 50 miles of your daily drive under average conditions. On the open road past 50 miles, or if you forget to plug it in, your EDrive Prius will behave like a normal Prius gasoline-electric hybrid.

Of course, if you’re interested in PHEVs, check out CalCars.org, perhaps the top advocacy site on them. 

CalCars is a non-profit startup formed by entrepreneurs, engineers, environmentalists and consumers. Our projects tackle national security, jobs and global warming — at the same time.

We promote plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). PHEVs are like regular hybrids but with larger batteries and the ability to re-charge from a standard outlet (mostly at night). They’re the best of both worlds: local travel is electric, and you always have a gas-tank backup.

We’ve built prototypes (see PRIUS+,the world’s first plug-in Prius), and are working on others to show what can be done now with existing technology. Our goal: get carmakers to build PHEVs.

PHEVs are exciting technology and they offer the opportunity for a better future … for America’s automakers, for America’s consumers, for all of us (all of US). 

When it comes to consumer action, Chevy is providing a path to have a say.  You can Let Chevy know that you care about the Volt and creating a future where American car makers are, again, on top of the pyramid of automobile manufacturing.