Plug-in hybrids could increase air pollution

Plug-ins lead to some serious grid questions

I'm a huge fan of plug-in hybrid vehicles, yet I'm equally critical of plug-ins as well. Ultimately, even without plug-ins, the US is facing a crisis when it comes to the US electric grid, and converting a significant percent of the US fleet into plug-in hybrids could result in many, many billions of dollars of extra grid updates.

Then there is the question of where does grid electricity come from?

All of this has led me to believe that many on the right now advocate for plug-in hybrids as cover for nuclear power. Now, I'm not fully against nuclear power, but I do believe there should be a healthy debate about whether nuclear power is the best option forward, but let's get back to the grid.

According to two recent studies, plug-in hybrid cars, feeding off today's electric grid, such as the Chevy Volt, could essentially become coal-burning vehicles in many parts of the US, leading to potentially significant increases of soot particles, mercury and acid rain-causing sulfur dioxide.

Ultimately, just as with conventional hybrids cars, such as the Toyota Prius, plug-in hybrid vehicles are not THE solution to America's energy problems.

A massive, future-focused energy policy is desperately required here in the US, maybe the world. Unfortunately, America doesn't even seem capable of having or leading such a discussion.