Electrics in the Pipeline

These are exciting times for electric vehicles. Major auto manufacturers are refining plug-in systems and testing them in fleets.

Toyota has announced that it will sell plug-in electric hybrid vehicles (PHEV) in the US in 2010.

Tony Posawatz, Vehicle Line Director for the Chevy Volt says that though "we haven't said exactly when the Chevy Volt will come to market, we've set our internal targets to complete the vehicle by the end of 2010."

Today Tesla Motors opened a new showroom for their 100% electric cars, & the cars are now in production.

Manufacturers are talking with Utility companies to be sure that the path is ready for cars to be plugged into the electric grid. There are many interesting prospects here:

• Intelligent electric meters (already in development) will give lower rates during low power demand periods -when most people will plug in their PHEVs.
• Possible the electrical grid (and customers like you and me) could benefit from selling power from the hybrid's electrical system back to the utility.

Later I'll have some news from the Plug-in Conference held in Silicon Valley this week.