1. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) allow drivers to use electricity from home for short trips, reducing fuel costs and emissions. PHEVs have a gas engine and larger battery than traditional hybrids for unlimited range. 2. PHEVs are endorsed by both environmental and conservative groups as a way to cut foreign oil dependence. Fleet buyers are also interested in PHEVs to reduce costs and emissions. 3. Early PHEV models show potential for lower lifetime ownership costs than gas-only vehicles. Increased production will improve batteries and lower PHEV prices to be competitive with hybrids.

1. LGUNA STATE POLYTECHNIC
UNIVERSITY
Siniloan, Campus
Siniloan Laguna
Prepared by:
Victor F. Banawa Jr.
10 TALKING POINTS FOR PLUG-
IN HYBRIDS
1. WHY PLUG-IN HYBRIDS? Today’s
hybrids are efficient because they don’t idle,
they recapture braking energy into a battery,
and they use smaller engines. They”re a
great step forward—but they’re still 100%
gas-fueled. Use a larger, rechargeable

2. battery and you add a second cleaner, 7. SAVE MONEY IN THE LONG RUN. In
cheaper, domestic energy source: electricity. high volumes, car-makers could sell PHEVs
for under $2,000-$5,000 more than current
2. SPEND LESS TIME—AND MONEY— hybrids. Just as car buyers pay for large
AT THE PUMP. A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) engines or leather seats without expecting a
is like having a second fuel tank you always return on investment, early adopters will pay
use first. Fill up at home from an ordinary extra for the PHEV “green feature.” The
socket, at a cost equivalent to less than bonus? Projections based on experience
$1/gallon. from electric car fleets show PHEVs have a
lower lifetime cost of ownership than any
3. USE NO GAS FOR SHORT TRIPS, other vehicle.
STILL HAVE UNLIMITED RANGE. If
your batteries have a longer range than your 8. POWER YOUR HOUSE WITH YOUR
commute, you’ll almost never need gas. But CAR. Hybrids and PHEVs can be used as
if you forget to plug in, or take a longer trip, mobile generators after disasters and
you have the same range as always from a outages, providing low-emission 120-volt
gas engine—but in a clean, efficient hybrid. back-up power for days to emergency
centers and individual homes.
4. NEO-CONS AND GREENS AGREE.
PHEVs have been endorsed by an alliance 9. PHEVS ARE ALREADY HERE. For 10
of environmentalists and conservatives who years, Dr. Andy Frank at UC Davis has
see it as the best way to cut our foreign “oil converted Ford/GM cars and SUVs.
addiction.” Republicans and Democrats, DaimlerChrysler is now testing PHEV
Senators Hatch, Lieberman and Obama, versions of the Mercedes Sprinter 15-
former cabinet members Shultz and passenger commercial van. Last year, non-
Woolsey, and recently President Bush have profit CalCars.org built the first Prius
endorsed PHEVs. Use E85 and 100+MPG PHEV. This year EDrive Systems, LLC will
PHEVs become “flex-fuel” PHEVs getting sell Prius conversions.
500 MPG of gasoline (+ electricity +
ethanol). 10. DEPLOY THE FLEET. Fleet buyers are
leading the way on many fronts. Plug-In
5. KEEP THE EARTH COOL. Even though Partners is a national campaign for a large
coal powers half the nation’s electricity, fleet buy. To slash battlefield costs and get
driving electrically produces 45% lower the no-heat “footprint” of electric vehicles,
greenhouse gases than a gas-only car. This the military may be a big buyer. New tax
will only improve as utilities use cleaner, credits and company benefits can help buy
renewable energy. down extra costs. Other incentives are on
their way from all levels of government.
6. LEAD CAR-MAKERS OUT OF THE And CalCars hopes to partner with a car
WILDERNESS. US car-makers missed the company, converting an existing hybrid to
boat on hybrids; now they”re playing catch- meet a fleet market demand we estimate at
up. PHEVs offer one company the chance to 10,000-100,000 vehicles.
leapfrog its competitors. Today’s batteries
are good enough; they will improve and get
cheaper as production increases.