Plug-in Hybrid Electric Cars – Key to a "Greener" Future Says CEO of Auto Website

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Chevy Volt

We've driven more than 1,300 miles on this first tank from the dealer.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) March 04, 2013

"We are are at a cultural crossroads," says Mr. Bob Twaalfhoven, CEO of MyPerfectAutomobile.com. "On the one hand, people want the independence of owning an automobile, but on the other hand they want a cleaner environment. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles can fulfill both needs."

Electric motors are far more efficient than gasoline engines; they have fewer mechanical parts that can break and they provide maximum torque at zero rpm - where it is most needed. Given this fact, why aren't there more electrical cars on the roads? Why bother with hybrid electric? And why plug-in hybrids?

"The answer lies in the fact that with a gasoline engine and a tank full of gas you can typically drive 300 miles or so without filling up," says Mr. Bob Twaalfhoven, CEO of MyPerfectAutomobile.com, "Compare that to a range of maybe 30 miles with an electric vehicle. Batteries are heavy, bulky and expensive; and they don't hold a lot of charge."

However, by adding a small gasoline engine, the situation changes. The electric drive can be used for short distances and start-stop city driving, with the internal combustion engine designed for highway cruising and recharging the batteries. This combination makes for dramatically improved gas mileage, but we still have to use gasoline and, as President Obama stated in his 2013 State of the Union Address, the intention is, "… to shift our cars and trucks off oil for good." That's where the plug-in comes in. Many commuters drive less than 30 miles per day; they can charge their plug-in hybrid electric car at home overnight by plugging it into a 120 volt power grid socket and never have to put in gas, except for the occasional long trip.

More and more manufacturers are adding plug-in capability to their hybrid electric cars, including Toyota, Ford, Honda, Mitsubishi and others. So far, the Chevy Volt is the most popular plug-in hybrid vehicle in the USA. Kevin C. Tofel, proud new owner of a 2013 Chevy Volt, wrote, as part of his success story, "It was this time last month that we decided to supplement our home solar panel array with a 2013 Chevy Volt. How have the last four weeks treated us and our car? Pretty good; in fact, better than I expected. The average Volt driver reportedly fills up the gas tank every 900 miles or so because the gas engine only kicks in after the car’s battery has been depleted. We’ve driven more than 1,300 miles on this first tank from the dealer and haven’t filled up yet, although we will soon."

Commenting on the reported range reduction in cold weather, a Canadian Volt owner states, "Cold? Try -5 to -15c , going into my second winter with my 2012 volt here in Toronto and I have learned to just drive it like a normal car, just plug it in at night and unplug it in the morning, use the heat, wipers, lights , just like the gas guzzler it replaced, and don't worry about the battery drain. 15500 km on 167 liters of gas, about 204 mpg. On really cold days I sometimes get only 40 km, vs a normal 65 km during the summer, but hey, it beats given thousands to the gas man!"

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, "Electricity is cheaper than gasoline to power a vehicle – generally equivalent to less than $1 per gallon." "With gasoline prices around four dollars a gallon, that makes a good case for plug-in vehicles," says Mr. Twaalfhoven, "Judging by the fact that the Chevy Volt plug-in hybrid sales in 2012 were triple the 2011 figure seems to indicate that the plug-in idea resonates with the public. With that in mind, we have dedicated a separate plug-in vehicles section on our website."

If you would like more information, or to schedule an interview, call 866-520-5558 or e-mail driven(at)myperfectautomobile(dot)com.

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