Everything You Need to Know About Hybrids

NPR posted an article today that describes upcoming hybrid vehicle technology, and how it differs from your typical Prius. According to the article, upcoming plug in hybrids will be an excellent choice for commuters, the plug in electricity supply powering the battery in upwards of 30 minutes. Unlike current hybrid technology, the gas engine on the car will act as a back-up to the battery where in current models, the battery relies on the charge generated by the gas engine. The most interesting part of the article touches on the great fear that many show towards this new grid-tied technology and its effect on carbon emissions. The article reports:

"A 2007 study by the Electric Power Research Institute and the Natural Resources Defense Council found the potential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality if the use of plug-in hybrid vehicles was widespread.

The study projected that in 2050, there would be more than an adequate supply of grid-supplied electricity for transportation uses. If PHEVs were in widespread use by then, it predicted that greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by the equivalent of removing 82.5 million passenger cars from roadways. And it suggested that petroleum consumption could be reduced by up to 4 million barrels per day."

Although they do recognize in the article that the United States' antiquated grid system could pose serious integration problems, the article is hopeful and makes me excited for the next two years.