Utilities hold the keys on plug-in hybrid success
If done right.....There have been a lot of studies on plug-in hybrid vehicles and the ability of the grid and utilities to power tens of millions of such electric vehicles. In a perfect world the electric grid can handle plug-ins in a cleaner, more cost-effective way than oil.
Today, however, the grid is far from perfect.
Plug-in hybrids "will make utilities more important than the oil companies" reports a WSJ article, and billions in updates will be required for utilities to correctly manage electric vehicles. That means noble corporate intentions in some cases and/or Congressional help in other cases. It also means utilities and automakers need to develop a great relationship.
So, can utilities, automakers, and government work together to create that perfect world?
Labels: plug-in hybrid vehicles
posted by Dahcredyns at
7:38 AM
4 Comments:
I think you have the cart leading the horse on this one. The market rewards the innovators with profitable sales. Corporations lobby government for favorable legislation. Utilities adjust their operations to meet changing demands. The ability of the Utilities to meet changing demand impacts the success of the products the market is buying.
They all interact, but it is first the successful product (ie Toyota Prius) that forces government and utilities to play. I think the government is too reactionary in nature and utilities not motivated enough by competition to have to be smart about their technology.
well, that's my worry, and its why i've regularly posted content that questions electrification. everything, almost assuredly, is not going to fall into place. we're not going to find the "perfect world".
if it all doesn't fall into place, the effectiveness of grid powered electric vehicles is very debateable. and having to rely on corporations and the government to act in the most efficient, cost-effective manner - based on previous and current actions - seems a silly assumption.
our infrastructure simply isn't prepared for electrification, despite the great potential electriciation offers.
while i'm a proponent of electrification, i think vehicles like the Prius are probably a far better short term - next 10 year - solution.
What will be more likely to happen on this issue is, that current gas stations will invest in gas powered generators to generate the electric needed to recharge electric cars on the road. So instead of buying gas or E85, you'll buy the electric that gas/E85 generates instead.
Now where is that dependency from over seas oil companies?
Unless the gas stations invest in some kind of alternate energy source, this is what I expect to happen in the short run.
Sounds like Honda generators is going to go up in price next. LOL.
Ross-
In the short term, the idea of electric vehicles is a bit unrealistic - at least in terms of what they can accomplish. Still, they do hold great potential and I think it's worth building towards.
Nonetheless, if America is going to do anything about foreign oil dependence - in the short term - well priced conventional hybrids can have far more of an impact than more expensive plug-in hybrids.
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