Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) are looking ever more clearly to be part of the near term energy future. As per CalCars, “PHEVs are like regular hybrids but with larger batteries and the ability to re-charge from a standard outlet 
(mostly at night). They’re the best of both worlds: local travel is electric, and you always have” another form of backup (whether traditional combustion engine, bio-fuel, hydrogen, natural gas, or otherwise) that can be refueled. Xcel Energy just finished up a six-month study of PHEVs. This study further cements the momentum to what could be a near-term, major change in America’s personal vehicle choices.
Xcel Energy found that:
- may result in a reduction of the overall expense of owning a vehicle
- with the help of smart-grid technologies, eliminate harmful vehicle emissions by up to 50 percent