plug-in hybrid cars

New study on cheaper plug-in battery prices: Now to 2025

Much cheaper Volt battery packs by 2025

Is plug-in success more dependent upon psychology than technology?

After reading the details of a new McKinsey study on lithium-ion battery costs from now through 2025 that forecasts dramatically lower lithium battery prices, I asked Should America go all in plug-in cars on Soultek.com this morning.

So, should America go all in on plug-ins? Read more…

Better residual value: Hybrid cars versus plug-in cars

c hybrid offers best residual value compared to all hybrids and plug-ins

How does plug-in depreciation compare to hybrids?

Obviously, no one wants to buy a new car and then drive off the lot and suddenly realize its worth drastically less than what was paid. Unfortunately, all new cars lose value as soon as the dealer hands you the keys, which is why savvy financial folks, such as Warren Buffett, only buy slightly used cars.

And residual value after 5 years is an even scarier number.

So do hybrid or electric cars hold their value better? Read more…

Is the luxury segment the key to ‘global sustainability’?

If only we could all drive a Fisker plug-in. LOL!

Or just an oxymoronic phrase for rich wankers?

If you’re going to buy a luxury vehicle, there is no doubt that buying a green luxury vehicle is better than buying a traditional luxury vehicle.

But can luxury ever really be sustainable, or green? Read more…

Study finds China to fall far short of plug-in car goals

BYD’s electric dreams still more dream than reality

Still an important market for the development of plug-in cars though

The Chinese government has both over-estimated Chinese demand for plug-in vehicles, as well as the capabilities of the domestic Chinese auto industry to build quality electric cars. Consequently, a new Pike Research study finds that China will fall far short of its plug-in goals.

Instead of 500,000 plug-ins per year by 2015, China will hit 152,000 units per year by 2017 — or less than 1 percent of total Chinese auto sales. Read more…

Toyota Prius c leads list of hardest to find hybrid cars

Supplies of this hybrid are below a c

Toyota dominates list of scarce hybrids

With the July 4th holiday quickly approaching, many Americans are preparing to go car shopping. Unfortunately, some hybrid shoppers might have a hard time finding their preferred hybrid.

For instance, there is only a 9 day supply of the Toyota Prius c according to the latest research compiled by Forbes, making the c hybrid the hardest to find hybrid car. Read more…

What to expect from plug-in car sales through 2020

The plug-in built for America, but not Japan?

At least according to the latest plug-in analysis from Pike Research

President Obama’s goal of 1 million US plug-in sales by 2015 will not be met, at least based on a new Pike Research Report. Instead, total US plug-in sales through 2015 should reach about 410,000 plug-in vehicles. However, 1 million US plug-in sales should be achieved in 2018.

Overall, according to Pike, plug-in adoption — at least through 2020 — is going to be slower than expected, or at least expected by early advocates. Read more…

Crazy weather car advantage: Hybrids versus electric cars

Best car for crazy weather?

What’s the best car to own in a power outage?

With the lights still out in many parts of the Eastern US, many aren’t just having a hard time due to a lack of power, but also a lack of gasoline. So, what’s the best kind of car to own in these situations?

Of course, I’m only considering hybrid and electric cars, each of which has unique advantages compared to conventional gas-guzzlers in many scenarios. Read more…

Impossible to forecast the future price of hybrids and EVs?

Tesla Model S: The smartest battery-powered car around?

Using the Tesla Model S as a battery price metric

It seems pretty clear that batteries for hybrid and electric cars will become cheaper over time. New technologies, better manufacturing, and scale all seem on an inevitable path towards making batteries cheaper. But when? Also, are there any confounding variables lurking?

If Tesla’s Model S battery packs are any indication, then it seems that predicting the future price of hybrids and EVs is largely impossible. At least that’s the conclusion New York Times writer Paul Stenquist reaches after reviewing the pricing of the Model S and its corresponding battery price tell. Read more…

10 years, minimally, before the plug-in revolution gears up?

Who killed the electric? An ignorant question?

The battery-powered world according to DOE secretary Chu

In the next 10 years, automakers will probably sell at least 150 million new vehicles in the US alone. Most of them will be traditional gas-guzzlers, although many will be turbo charged, fewer cylinder-engined guzzlers — a positive step at least. Nevertheless, many of those 150 million new guzzlers; however, will be on US roads for up to another 2 decades. Guzzling. Guzzling. Guzzling.

That paints a pretty sad story of US foreign energy dependence for at least the next 3 decades — a terrible tale that is supported by the latest suggestions from Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu. Read more…

Batteries versus cars: Has the lithium revolution already been won?

Is the battery more important than the car?

Is A123 America’s only hope?

Lithium prices are skyrocketing. That’s been a big story the last few days. Smart phones, tablets, and now the move towards lithium-powered hybrid and plug-in vehicles is significantly accelerating demand for lithium.

Unfortunately, the lithium mining industry has been stagnant for years, and it will take massive capital and time to change those dynamics. Read more…