Internal combustion engines, hybrid electrics or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles – which would you choose? Well if its improvements in mileage and reductions in emissions you want, you can’t go wrong with a plug-in.
That’s the verdict of the third phase of a SDG&E multi-year in-use study on plug-ins – SDG&E is a public utility that services San Diego and southern Orange counties.
It tested the performance of two 2007 model Prius hybrids and then converted them into plug-in hybrids using a Hymotion 5kWh lithium-ion battery conversion kit. In its most recent study the prototype battery was replaced with a production model battery and the same pool of drivers was used during vehicle evaluation.
The company announced the findings as state regulators and utilities met in San Francisco to discuss how utilities can play their part in advancing the electric and natural gas vehicle marketplace, as well as its fuelling infrastructure.
It is believed that California’s electricity capacity could recharge an incredible four million plug-in hybrids during off-peak hours and that plug-in hybrids’ fuel cost savings compared to traditional petrol powered cars would save these four million customers around $4.2billion a year at today’s average US petrol price of $3 a gallon.
SDG&E is also working on the deployment of smart meter technology which will help customers schedule charging times and select the lowest rates for charging. It believes its study confirms the viability of electricity as a clean and low cost transportation fuel while highlighting the increased efficiencies of plug-in hybrid technologies.
