$4.50 gas, better range and cheaper costs needed to mainstream plug-ins
An upcoming Mitsubishi plug-in hybrid
The plug-in world according to Harvard
In Will Electric Cars Transform the U.S. Vehicle Market?, Harvard finds that mainstream consumers will not embrace plug-in vehicles until they match conventional vehicle range, fueling convenience and cost.
While it could take 10 – 20 years to improve batteries enough to entice mainstream consumers, $4.50+ gasoline prices could help increase plug-in sales in the interim, especially as battery costs decline and range increases according to the Harvard study.
Overall, the study finds plug-in hybrids are $5,377 more expensive than gasoline-powered cars, while plug-in electric cars cost $4,819 more than a conventional car over the life of the vehicles.
Unfortunately, I’ve not yet been able to review details of the study, so its hard to know whether tax credits, for instance, are included in this formula. Moreover, I would have expected a bigger advantage for pure electric vehicles versus plug-in hybrids because of less parts, including an engine, although battery electric vehicles do require a larger, costly battery pack.
Anyway, hoping to get more details soon. However, if plug-in electrics can’t provide more cost-effectiveness versus plug-in hybrids as battery costs decline, it’s gonna be hard to make a case for them compared to the more robust fueling options of plug-in hybrids.
Source: USAToday
For sure, plug-in hybrids are going to have to get a LOT better than the Chevy Volt.