Since batteries are so
Since batteries are so expensive currently the plug-in hybrid seems to be the best way to get around the problem as long as the car can be driven around 40 miles before switching over. My Volt does just that and I find that I am billing up the gas tank once or twice a year. The 38 mile electric range is fine for me and about 90% of drivers in the United States. However, I find myself looking for charge opportunities all the time since I don't want to use any gasoline. If my Volt had twice the range I would be content with charging it late at night when power demand on the utility is low. I figured out that if I had a Nissan, Leaf I would probably be more relaxed about always trying to find a charger. Range, the amount of miles an EV or plug-in hybrid on the electric charge, has a strong affect on charging behavior. The more range available, the calmer the driver will be. Most of the time trips and daily usage will be well below an EVs range, so pure EV owners can relax about going 40 miles in a day when they have 80 to 100 miles range. If we were to double that, I believe most people's range anxiety would completely disappear. Make the range 300 miles and people wouldn't think about the need to charge unless there was a major power outage that lasted more than a week. With 300 mile range on an EV I could drive 150 miles away and still get back home. At some point in the future EVs will have batteries that will have such ranges and when that happens the plug-in hybrid will probably disappear along with the internal combustion engine vehicle.