What Are Plug-ins?

In an all-electric car, high performance batteries store cleaner, cheaper, domestically produced electricity, and an electric motor provides propulsion with zero emissions. In a plug-in hybrid, more batteries than a conventional hybrid allow local all-electric, zero-emission driving with an internal combustion engine for longer distances.

Electric cars are very reliable. No oil changes, no tune ups. EVs have fewer than 1/10th as many parts as a gas car. There's no engine, transmission, spark plugs, valves, fuel tank, tailpipe, distributor, starter, clutch, muffler or catalytic converter.

The best way to reduce carbon emissions is to utilize the ever cleaner, greener, more renewable grid to power transportation. Only grid-rechargeable cars can attain the end goal of zero-emissions and ensure fuel price stability. Read more about the Case for Grid Electricity in Cars.

Sounds great! Can I get one?
It's very difficult to find an electric car today. Carmakers should offer us the choice of electric cars and plug-in hybrids. The automakers produced great electric cars to meet California's Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate during the '90s. But only a small number of these electric cars were ever offered for sale. The auto and oil industries spent millions lobbying in Sacramento, sued in federal court and successfully eviscerated the Mandate, eliminating any real choice for consumers. GM, Honda, Ford and Toyota confiscated and destroyed thousands of electric cars, despite offers of cash from satisfied customers.

In 2005 as a result of the DontCrush.com campaign to save electric cars, Ford and Toyota agreed to stop crushing their great electric cars. But the automakers still only sell gas cars. Plug In America is working for the electric choices we want now.

Now, more than 14 major car companies and at least a dozen start-ups have announced work on new plug-in vehicles, but we need to keep up the pressure and the support to bring these cars to market.

Electric Car Specs - All-Electric Driving Comparison

	Tesla Motors Roadster	Toyota RAV4 EV	EDrive Systems Plug-in Toyota Prius
Range	200+ miles	80-125 miles	50-60 miles (all-electric)
Top Speed	130mph (governed)	80mph (governed)	34mph (all-electric, governed)
Weight	2500 lbs	3480 lbs	2989 lbs
Motor	185 kW AC (248 peak hp)	50 kW perm. magnet	50 kW perm. magnet AC (67 HP)
Batteries	Lithium-Ion	24 12-volt NiMH	Lithium-Ion
Charger Type	110V/220V; conductive	220V/ 30A; 5kW inductive	110V/ 15A, 1kW; conductive
Battery Capacity	53kWh	25.9kWh	9kWh

5 Most Frequently Asked Questions - More FAQ

• How far can you drive between charges? (Electric cars & plug-in hybrids)
The RAV4 EV has a maximum range of about 125 miles on one full charge. The Tesla Roadster can drive more than 200 miles. The Tesla, like many of the new EVs that are coming, is capable of charging at any electrical plug anywhere.

The electric range of plug-in hybrids will vary depending on the design, but the total range is similar to gas cars. A Hymotion conversion kit gives a plug-in Prius about a 30-mile electric range and a total range the same as a conventional Prius. GM says its plug-in hybrid Chevy Volt will go 40 miles on one charge of the batteries and more than 400 miles on a charge plus a tank of gas.

• How long does it take to recharge?
It charges about 20% per hour. The total time to charge from empty to 100% is 5 1/2 hours for a Toyota RAV4-EV.

• Where do you recharge?
Most people recharge in their own garage overnight, but there are public chargers for electric cars as well in parking garages and shopping centers. See www.evchargernews.com to find public chargers in your area.

• How much does it cost to charge?
Less than $1 to charge a plug-in hybrid; $2-4 for an all-electric car.

• What about the pollution created making the electricity? Aren't you just moving the pollution?
Even on today's electrical grid, plug-in cars are cleaner than the average gasoline car. But there's more. Utilities have plenty of excess generating capacity at night which could charge millions of plug-in cars. While electricity is getting cleaner and more renewable every year, even the cleanest gasoline car becomes ever more polluting. An electric car, on the other hand, just gets cleaner over time as the grid gets cleaner.