Considering each of the aftermarket companies that are appearing that will convert your Prius to somewhat of a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Car (PHEV), to get wondered why auto producers aren't rolling PHEVs journey assembly line yet?
I am aware I have. I'd really like to own a PHEV - the thought of a car that can easily drive around in town for 40 or 52 miles without firing it is gasoline engine just seems really cool to me.
So where are these PHEVs?
A number of people are accusing the crash manufacturers of dragging his or her heels, even so the real problem lies inside same thing that influence your laptop - that lithium ion battery.
The thing is, though a lithium ion battery usually does a great job of powering any laptop, cellular telephone, or power tool, to get noticed how these batteries lose performance over time. Heck, my cellular telephone is only 18 weeks old and its battery went from lasting almost 7 days to just over 3 days.
On this planet of automobiles, long-term battery performance like that of any cell phone is totally unacceptable. Automobile manufacturers need the batteries to last at the least 10 years or a hundred and fifty, 000 miles just before you start seeing them.
The good news is, several companies, for example A123Systems, are becoming close to reaching all those figures, so hurdle is about for being cleared - likely someday in 2007.
The next major hurdle to jump is a safety of the battery power. I think almost everybody heard about the Dell battery recall not too long ago. SOME SORT OF battery that starts on fire in the laptop is major bother; then again, any battery that starts with fire while you're driving 70mph down the Interstate can be quite a disaster. Lithium ion battery safety may be the next big issue that's retaining PHEVs from becoming generation vehicles.
A final one is one connected with simple economics - value.
Now, switching a Hybrid Electric Motor vehicle, for a Prius to a Plug-in Hybrid Electric vehicle will function you about $6, 000 around parts, and that's as well as the premium you pay with the Prius. Regarding production cars, you can initially expect the PHEVs to cost about $10, 000 above its conventional counterpart. As soon as production increases, that number increases, however initially, there's the much higher price to pay extra for a PHEV.
So as you move technology is nearly all set (a lot closer compared to hydrogen), you'll find legitimate reasons why you're not seeing Ford, GM, and also Toyota introduce PHEVs towards market just yet. They're returning, along with soon, but for you prefer a PHEV, you'll either should want to do it yourself or possess an aftermarket conversion organization, like Hybrids Plus, to undertake it for you.