University of California Transportation Center

With rising energy prices and battery improvements, the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, a variant of the betterknown self-charging hybrid electric vehicle, is fast gaining popularity. Because plug-in hybrids can recharge via a wall socket while resting, they can run purely on electric power for many trips without having to revert to gasoline. This significantly reduces emissions over conventional hybrids, which can only recharge while they’re operating and are thus more likely to rely on their internal combustion engine when in use. The driving range of plug-in hybrids running on electricity varies from 10 to 60 miles. Surveys show that about 50 percent of passenger vehicles in California log fewer than 20 miles in a day; about 80 percent log fewer than 60 miles. Such short trips are well-suited to purely electric-powered travel.