A hybrid, electric future?
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The number of Western Pennsylvanians who own plug-in hybrids or all-electric vehicles is quite small. But it only stands to reason that as gasoline prices inevitably rise and as battery technology continues to improve, that number is sure to grow.
Although electric motors provide vehicles with plenty of power and speed, the batteries that power them are limited in capacity, and the range at which electric cars can travel at this point is limited. Nissan says the average range for its all-electric Leaf sedan is 84 miles. That’s enough to commute from Washington to Pittsburgh, but not much more.
The fear of running out of power and being stranded is a powerful disincentive. But things are looking up for owners of electric cars. Some companies are now providing charging stations for their employees, and an article in Wednesday’s Observer-Reporter announced that shoppers at the Mall at Robinson can now charge their vehicles for free at a solar power station outside the food court entrance. Complete recharging takes about two hours.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike opened four charging stations earlier this year, bringing the number to 274 statewide. That number is also sure to grow as more people take advantage of grants of up to $2,000 toward the purchase of plug-in hybrids and electric cars through the state’s Alternative Fuels Incentive program.
The auto industry has been woefully slow in recognizing the interest in vehicles that cost so much less to operate and are so much more environmentally friendly. Although Tesla Corp. has plans to produce an electric pick-up truck, none of the major manufacturers has so far announced any intention to enter that market, which is strange. Pick-up trucks are more likely to be used in short-range situations than passenger cars and SUVs, and, unlike small cars, they have more than enough room for batteries.
A future in which electric vehicles are common would be a boost to families who struggle with the cost of transportation and go a long way toward reducing carbon emissions and their effects on our health and the environment.