Revenge of the Electric Car

JANUARY 22, 2009

In 2003, the board relaxed its landmark support for so-called zero-emission vehicles after being sued by the major car companies and the Bush administration. The board had voted in 1990 to require that at least 10 percent of cars sold in California to be zero-emissions vehicles by 2003.

Prius 100

Prius Plug-in Plug Gasoline-Electric 100

Tony Karrer Delicious EVdriven

APRIL 21, 2009

Despite this, a 2003 EPRI study , assuming only $2/gallon gas , zero buying incentives, and a PHEV premium of $3-$5,000 more than standard hybrids, shows that the total lifetime cost of ownership for a PHEV will be lower than that of any other vehicle type -- so the payback will be there. Power and Associates 2004 report ].

PHEV 37

PHEV Nickel Metal Hydride Prius EPRI 37

Tony Karrer Delicious EVdriven

APRIL 21, 2009

Establishing dealer network. The objections they raised for years -- "no one is interested, no one would plug in, the technology is too complex, the benefits are minimal, its just shifting the pollution from the tailpipe to the smokestack, theres no demand for these cars" -- still show up occasionally, but are by and large history.

Plug-in 45

Plug-in Plug Hybrid PHEV 45