Plug-In Cars

Plug-in Cars

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Plug-in Cars offer drivers the fuel-efficiency benefits of hybrid cars with the added feature of being able to plug-in to household electricity when the car is not in use. This leads to increased mileage and fuel savings.

A plug-in hybrid-electric vehicle offers extended electric-only propulsion. Drivers can use the electric mode for short trips, and switch to 'blended' mode (combined gas/electric) once the battery runs low, or if higher engine performance is needed.

Plug-ins require larger batteries than normal hybrids, which drives up their cost. Rechargeable nickel metal hydride (NiMh), used in hybrid vehicles, are bulky but less-expensive, while advanced lithium-ion batteries are smaller and have a higher output of energy, but are very costly. Improvements in battery storage capacity are key to the success of plug-ins.

Plug-in technology is currently in active development by the major auto manufacturers, with working prototypes of both plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and plug-in electric vehicles which have small backup gas generators.

The following plug-in cars are currently in development:

Chevrolet Volt

- battery pack: lithium-ion
- range (battery mode): 40 miles (64km)
- extended range: 360 miles (579km)
- max. speed (battery mode): n/a
- recharge time: 6.5 hours at 110v
- available: late 2010
- cost: $30,000 - $40.000
The Volt runs entirely on electricity, with a small on-board gasoline engine 'range extender' which acts as a generator to charge the batteries once the electric power has been expended. This is referred to as a plug-in 'series' hybrid. It is not referred to as a 'hybrid' car because the hybrids run with combined gas-electric technology acting in parallel.

The Volt's electric-only range of 40 miles exceeds the average per trip range of most drivers, and so for most trips the car will use no gas. When the car is parked at home, it is designed to use a common household plug for recharging.


Toyota Prius Plug-in

- battery pack: nickel metal hydride
- range (battery mode): 7 miles
- max. speed (battery mode): 62 mph
- recharge time: 4 hours at 110v
- available: 2010
- cost: n/a

The new Toyota plug-in will be similar to the current version of the Prius hybrid. Prototypes of the Prius plug-in are running on NiMh batteries, and the production version may run on the same until problems wih the Lithium-ion batteries are worked out.

The Prius plug-in can run in electric-only (EV) mode for maximum fuel efficiency, or "blended" mode (combined electric/gas) for enhanced performance and longer trips when recharging is not an option.
The Prius plug-in is powered by the current Prius’s 1.5-liter inline four. The electric motor generates 50kW, which combined with the battery pack, lets the car reach over 60mph in EV mode alone.


Ford Escape Plug-in

- battery pack: lithium-ion
- range (battery mode): 30 miles
- max. speed (battery mode): 40mph
- recharge time: n/a
- available: 2013
- cost: n/a
A plug-in version is currently in development for the popular Ford Escape compact SUV gas-electric hybrid. The Escape plug-in has five times as much battery capacity and hardware as the current Escape hybrid to recharge the battery from a standard household outlet.

The Escape plug-in can achieve fuel economy of up to 120 miles per gallon, Ford claims, during the first 30 miles of driving at moderate speeds after a full charge. Ford's Greg Frenette, chief engineer for plug-in and fuel-cell vehicles, forecasts 70 to 80 mpg on the highway, where the gas engine works more, and 30 miles of light driving up to 40 mph on a charged battery alone.

Ford Edge, HySeries Drive

- battery pack: lithium-ion
- range (battery mode): 25 miles
- extended range: 225 miles
- max. speed (battery mode): 85mph
- recharge time: n/a
- available: n/a
The Edge is the world's first drivable hydrogen fuel cell vehicle with plug-in capability. Ford's HySeries propulsion system is similar to that used in GM's Chevrolet Volt, but with one big difference: the HySeries uses a hydrogen fuel cell, not a gasoline engine, as the on-board back-up generator. The fuel cell starts re-charging the battery when the charge level drops to around 40 percent.

Ford claims a plug-in-power-only range of 25 miles before the hydrogen is needed. After that, the Edge with HySeries can go another 200 miles on a tank of compressed hydrogen. Ford estimates the gasoline equivalent mileage of the HySeries Edge at 41 mpg city/highway combined if you drive the full range.


Saturn Vue Plug-in

- battery pack: lithium-ion
- range (battery mode): 10 miles
- max speed (battery mode): n/a
- recharge time: 4 - 5 hours at 110v
- available: late 2010
- cost: under $40,000
The Saturn Vue Green Line plug-in will be a modified version of the Vue two-mode hybrid (due out in 2009). After electric-only propulsion depletes the lithium-ion energy storage system to a specified level, the battery is replenished by utilizing the two-mode hybrid system's electric motors and regenerative brake systems.

The Vue has two driving modes – city and highway – and four fixed mechanical gears to maximize efficiency while maintaining performance. In addition, special controls will be utilized to enable higher speeds during electric-only propulsion and maintain electric-only propulsion for longer periods of time. Saturn projects that combined performance for the plug-in Vue could be a near-50-mpg automobile.


Dodge Sprinter Plug-in

- battery pack: lithium-ion
- range (battery mode): 20 miles
- max. speed (battery mode): n/a
- recharge time: 6 - 8 hours at 220v
- available: n/a
The Dodge Sprinter Plug-in operates, like other hybrid vehicles, on its electric motor and internal combustion engine combined. However, the Sprinter uses a diesel engine instead of gas. The diesel engine offers added fuel efficiency and more power at low speeds which suits the utility of a van/cargo vehicle.

The Sprinter plug-in is currently being road tested as a delivery vehicle for the NY Times. This is the first fleet test of a diesel plug-in hybrid system. The Sprinter is designed to benefit commercial uses where trips are short and the vehicle returns to its base for recharging.



Jeep Renegade (concept)

- battery pack: lithium-ion
- range (battery mode): 40 miles
- extended range: 400 miles
- max. speed (combined): 90 mph (144km/h)
- recharge time: n/a
- available: n/a
Chrysler has unveiled concept designs for a sporty two-seater all-wheel drive - the Jeep Renegade plug-in. The concept model features two electric motors, one for each axle, and a 1.5 liter, 115hp diesel engine. The frame and body features lightweight aluminum architecture and recyclable materials. Designed for open-air utility, the wireless interior can be hosed down, with interior water channels and drain.

The Renegade plug-in has a low gear mode, locking differentials, and a Bluetec diesel "range-extender" engine that gives it the equivalent of 110 mpg when combined with the electric motors. According to Chrysler, the Renegade is capable of achieving an equivalent petroleum fuel economy of 110 mpg.


Toyota 1/X (concept)

- battery pack: lithium-ion
- range (extended): 150 miles
- max. speed (battery mode): n/a
- recharge time: n/a
- available: n/a
The Toyota 1/X concept car has the same interior space as the Prius, but weighs two-thirds less, coming in under 1,000 pounds. This ultra-light weight lets the 1/X offer twice the fuel efficiency. The car is designed with highly rigid carbon fiber, which is reinforced by a plastic frame to ensure superior collision safety.

The 1/X also features a flex fuel 500cc engine and plug-in hybrid drive system. Toyota quotes fuel efficiency that is double of the Prius in a package that's roughly the same size and seats four. The Toyota 1/X concept car is capable of traveling 150 miles on a four-gallon tank of gasoline.