Plug-In Hybrids Favored By Potential Electric Car Buyers
Plug-in Hybrids, The Intelligent In Between. Yes, they are technically challenging, they come in all shapes and form, and they can cost a lot to develop, they also answer a daunting question, how far? Plug-in hybrids are a formidable force for the automobile industry and are the perfect answer to the dilemma of wanting an electric car but still wanting a back up energy source on-board. But are they enough to jolt a wait and see crowd of potential car buyers?
Plug-In Hybrids, Best Of All Worlds. Plug-in hybrids offer a lot of benefits, if done intelligently. Mild plug-in hybrids might be cheaper to make and offer very little flexibility. A Prius is optimized to function the way it does with very little driver choice. Intelligent PHEVs popping up, such as Ford’s amazing C-MAX Energi offer choice and flexibility. In the Energi’s case, a driver can choose from gasoline only, to electricity and dual mode, with amazing gas saving and fastest electric speed available.
Pike Research’s John Gartner finds in another study that plug-in hybrids will outsell battery electrics in the U.S., at least for the first six to seven years, which seems to make sense on paper. The study categorizes both plug-in hybrids as with the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid, the two upcoming Energi models from Ford, as well as the Chevrolet Volt, technically a plug-in hybrid. The study also finds that pure battery cars will be on par with their hybrid cousins by 2020.
What About EVs? TechNavio's analysts have found that the electric car market in the US will grow at a rate of 43.39% over 2011 and 2015. Interestingly enough, one of the key factors was the increasing number of advanced vehicle technology projects. The report, entitled the “Electric Vehicle Market in the US 2011-2015” covers the Electric Vehicle, EV market in the US and its future growth.
While we can’t always predict the future, plug-in hybrids make sense on many levels. With the illogical disinformation campaign potential electric car buyers have been bombarded with, it’s not too surprising to see many back away from the prospect. While lithium battery technology is still new and therefore currently expensive, Plug-In Hybrids offer the best of both worlds, electricity when needed, gasoline for longer trips. What do you think? How would you use one? What would sway you once way or another?
Plug-in hybrids offer plenty of benefits and give potential electric car buyers a sense of security by carrying a gasoline engine on-board while being able to recharge on the go.