Stoughton Utilities - A Member Of Plug-In Partners
Working to Build a Market for PHEVs
In a commitment to help our community
reduce its environmentally harmful exhaust emissions, Stoughton Utilities
became a member of the nationwide Plug-In Partners campaign. The purpose of the
campaign is to demonstrate to automakers that a market exists for Plug-in
Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs). PHEVs combine today’s gas-electric hybrid
technology with larger batteries that could provide an all-electric operating
range of 25 to 35 miles or more before switching over to gasoline mode. The
result is an 80+ mile-per-gallon vehicle. There currently are no commercially
produced PHEVs on the market; however, PHEV prototypes and after-market
modifications to existing hybrid vehicles already have proven their
practicality.
PHEVs provide economic benefits.
The cost of oil has risen
dramatically in recent years, directly affecting the price of gasoline for
motorists. PHEVs offer relief from the pain at the pump because their batteries
can be recharged by plugging into a standard wall socket, delivering “electric”
gallons of gas for about 75 cents a gallon. Such a vehicle could reduce
gasoline consumption for the average American by 50% – 70%.
PHEVs would help improve national security.
Because PHEVs can run primarily on
domestically-produced electric energy, this technology would significantly
decrease U.S. dependence on foreign oil.
PHEVS can help protect the environment.
Charging PHEVs with electric power would reduce emissions because air pollution
is easier to manage a central point such as a power plant rather than from
millions of vehicle tail pipes. No additional power plants would be needed to
support the use of PHEVs, however, because charging occurs at night when
consumption is lowest. And, when electricity is produced by renewable energy
such as hydropower or wind, PHEV users would be using pollution-free energy to
deliver pollution-free transportation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Plug-in Hybrids (PHEVs) available today?
There are prototypes in
operation today, but there are no commercially available PHEVs on the market.
There are also many conventional hybrids, from sedans to SUVs, that have been
converted to plug-ins. Some are getting up to 60 all-electric miles per charge.
How much gasoline would a PHEV use?
According to the Electric Power
Research Institute (EPRI), half the cars on U.S. roads are driven 25 miles a
day or less. Consequently, a plug-in with a 25-mile all electric range could
eliminate gasoline use in the daily commute of tens of millions of Americans.
Furthermore drivers of PHEVs would only need to fill up with fuel a few times a
year, versus the current 24-36 times a year on average.
Will PHEVs be slow?
No. A Toyota Prius, modified with a larger plug-in battery, has essentially the
same accelerating power and speed capability of a current hybrid.
How much more will a PHEV cost than a conventional hybrid?
EPRI estimates that, with
mass production, the cost of a PHEV battery will add $2,000 to $3,000 to the
cost of a conventional hybrid. Battery costs are likely to fall with increased
production.
Top 10 Reasons Why Automakers Should Manufacture PHEVs
- PHEVs can greatly reduce gasoline use in the commute of tens of millions of Americans.
- The technology is available now.
- Infrastructure already exists to supply plug-ins with electric fuel, from the power plant to electric sockets at homes and businesses.
- PHEVs can lead to significant reductions in greenhouse gases and smog-producing air pollutants.
- PHEVs can enhance national security by cutting dependence on imported oil.
- PHEVs will bring savings on fuel costs to individuals and businesses.
- Plug-in technology can be combined with already existing flexible fuel technology to reduce the use of gasoline even more dramatically.
- Flexible fuel PHEVs are good for American agriculture. (The Plug-In Partners Campaign is endorsed by theAmerican Corn Growers Association and the Soybean Producers of America).
- Consumers can fuel their cars at home and drastically reduce the number of trips to the gas station.
- PHEVs would help preserve jobs in the American automobile industry if American manufacturers began producing plug-in hybrids.
Individuals
Community members wishing to voice
support for the development of Plug-in Hybrids (PHEVs) can sign an online
petition at the Plug-In Partners web site.
Businesses and Nonprofits
Businesses
and organizations such as civic, neighborhood, environmental and other
nonprofits are critical to the education of their communities regarding PHEVs.
Resources in the Plug-In Partners Packet can be a springboard for your
involvement.
For more information on the Plug-In Partners national campaign, please visit www.pluginpartners.org
or contact us.