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.
For more information on the Plug-In Partners national
campaign, please visit
www.pluginpartners.org
or
contact us.