Lithium hybrid revolution 3 to 4 years away?

While you can't buy a plug-in hybrid vehicle today from any of the major auto manufacturers, you could buy a Toyota Prius and have that hybrid vehicle converted into a plug-in hybrid vehicle, but why would you do that?

Full hybrid vehicles, such as the Prius or the Ford Escape hybrid, have the ability to run completely on electric power, as well as the ability to generate electric power. In current hybrid technology this typically happens at lower speeds such as in stop-and-go or slow-and-go traffic, and this feature is one of the primary reasons hybrids are so fuel efficient.

Nonetheless, current hybrids have a limited ability to store energy because NiMH batteries in hybrids only have so much capacitiy.

Lithium ion batteries, on the other hand, enable a hybrid to extend this storage capacity, however, simply driving the hybrid probably won't generate enough electricity via regenerative breaking, etc to fill the batteries to full capactity.

Thus, why not plug the hybrid into an outlet and top the batteries off? Doing so with today's plug-in prototypes enables these hybrids to travel up to 40 miles on electric power alone, a distance greater than the average American commute.

This is the potential of lithium ion battery powered hybrid vehicles, and this is what has GM preparing to show off a prototype plug-in hybrid vehicle in early 2007 - probably at the North American International Auto Show. Still, according to GM's Bob Lutz, the real potential of a plug-in hybrid vehicle is still about 3 to 4 years away.

Lutz told The Detroit News that GM estimates it will take three to four years "to convert from 'power' lithium batteries to 'energy storage' lithium cells," which would allow vehicles to travel farther distances.

Imagine the ability to travel 100 miles on electric power alone with technology which will probably be available in just 3 to 4 years. Imagine the effect such vehicles would have on foreign oil dependency. Imagine adding a a few solar panels or a small wind turbine to your garage and powering your plug-in hybrid with completely green electricity.

So why just imagine it? Why not make this a reality?

Buying today's hybrid cars helps invest in this future. Additionally, we must put pressure on Congress to offer more incentives to both automakers and consumers for developing and buying these types of vehicles. In the long run, these investments in the future will more than pay for themselves.