A Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle ("Plug-In" or “PHEV”) is a conventional hybrid car, such as a Toyota Prius, with a more powerful battery and a simple electric plug. Although the plug-in looks and feels like a "regular" car, its battery can be plugged in and charged at any home outlet or other charging location, allowing 20 to 60 miles of all electric driving. It’s like having an electric car with an insurance policy – you fill up at home from a standard outlet, at an equivalent cost of under $1/gallon, and when your battery runs out, your car operates as a regular fuel-efficient hybrid.
The plug-in is fueled in part by cleaner, cheaper, domestically produced energy. This results in reduced greenhouse gas emissions and improved air quality, even when vehicles are charged on the national grid. The consumer benefits from dramatic fuel savings, reduced vehicle maintenance costs, and more free time (fewer or no trips to the gas station). The nation benefits because fueling from electricity reduces our dependence on imported oil and reduces our trade deficit. For more information on the benefits of plug-ins, including data and peer-reviewed studies confirming that plug-ins will dramatically decrease greenhouse gas emissions, even when charged from the national grid, click here for a list of key studies.
Click here for FoE's toolkit and learn how to become a Plug-In Partner
Electric range depends on the size of the battery in the vehicle. Demonstration plug-ins currently have all-electric ranges from between 25 to 60 miles. The forthcoming Chevy Volt is likely to have a 40 mile all-electric range. Plug-ins can also be configured to run on a mixed mode, switching automatically between electricity and gasoline (or other liquid fuel) to maximize fuel efficiency.
Currently, a federal tax credit is available which provides consumers with $2,500 to $7,500 per plug-in vehicle purchased, after December 31st, 2008, based on the mileage range of the battery. This tax credit will decrease in dollar amount after 250,000 plug-in vehicles are sold by each vehicle manufacturer. The credit is set to expire at the end of 2014. State and local incentives may also be available; check your state and local government websites for more info.
No. Recent studies demonstrate that emissions of most pollutants and greenhouse gases are lowered by a shift from internal combustion engines to plug-in vehicles. Further, California’s grid is rapidly becoming cleaner as a result of state goals to incorporate at least 20% renewable energy sources like solar and wind into the grid by 2012 and 33% by 2020. As grid electricity continues to get cleaner, the environmental benefits of plug-ins only increase.
Both General Motors and Toyota have publicly stated that they are on a production course to bring plug-ins to market by 2010, although Toyota may only be selling to government fleets. Many other automakers are also planning a plug-in vehicle introduction in coming years including Chrysler, Nissan, Volvo, Saab, Mercedes and BMW, to name just a few. See our list of automakers and plug-in vehicles for more specific information. The recent stimulus money for vehicle electrificiation are likely to speed up these plans.
In the meantime, some small companies and non-profits are converting conventional hybrids, such as the Toyota Prius, into Plug-ins to demonstrate that these cars are a viable near-term transportation solution. Please see our conversion fact sheet with more information on conversions.
