Would a car that ran for 30-50 miles between recharges on electricity only, but could switch instantly to conventional hybrid electric mode when the batteries ran low work for your lifestyle?
Some hybrid vehicles can be converted to have a longer electric-only range and recharge overnight, but so far the major auto-makers don’t sell that option from the factory. Would you be willing to pay a premium over the price of a conventonal hybrid vehicle to get a 30-50 mile range of electric-only operation (short commute or day shopping) with an electric-only operating cost cheaper than that of a conventional Internal combustion engine or HEV? If so, what factors might influence you? Electric-only range? Initial-cost? Initial-cost versus fuel-savings? Fuel-savings alone? Eco-friendliness?
PHEV’s can be both cost-effective, and more eco-friendly! If we can show that market demand is there, perhaps they will come sooner!
