Green Wombat

photo from calcars

Not content to wait for Detroit and Tokyo to get with the plug-in car program, the California Energy Commission has allocated $3 million to establish a Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle Research Center at the University of California, Davis. The center is charged with developing plug-in hybrid technologies and promoting their commercial viability. Plug-In Hybrids use larger and higher capacity batteries than conventional electric-gasoline hybrid cars like the Toyota Prius. The rechargeable batteries allow them to travel further without using the gas engine, nearly doubling the car’s fuel efficiency and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. In California, vehicles account for about 40 percent of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions and plug-in hybrids are seen as a key in combating global warming. As Green Wombat reported earlier this week, a U.S. Department of Energy study found the nation has sufficient off-peak electricity capacity to replace 84 percent of its vehicle fleet with plug-in hybrids. California Energy Commission officials weren’t immediately available for comment but Green Wombat will provide an update once we get more details on the plans for the plug-in hybrid research center.