Automakers aim to replace gas pumps with plugs

Gas prices are rising and hybrid vehicle prices are coming down.

Since the first mass-marketed hybrid, the Honda Insight, hit the roads in late 1999, technology has improved and consumer confidence has grown stronger. Recently, Toyota announced its millionth hybrid sale in the U.S. -- with 1.7 million worldwide -- and the vastly improved Honda Insight's debut earlier this month was the first-ever hybrid to retail for less than $20,000.

As gas-electric hybrid technology becomes more popular and the public gains faith in alternative energy sources, automakers are looking to cut gas out of the picture completely. Almost all major automakers are aiming to bring an extended-range gas-electric hybrid to market by 2011 or 2012.

Electric vehicles are preferable because they are energy efficient, produce virtually no tailpipe emissions and reduce energy dependency since electricity is a produced domestically, according to www.fueleconomy.gov, a Web site produced by the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. Additionally, electric vehicles are quieter, accelerate more evenly for a smoother ride and require less maintenance than internal combustion engines.

Unlike traditional hybrids, which use electricity to power the vehicle only at low speeds, then turn to gas power when accelerating or driving at high speeds, extended-range electric vehicles are powered only by electricity, but have a gasoline-generator to keep the battery running, so cars are only ever directly powered by electricity.

The most highly publicized, highly anticipated extended-range electric vehicle is the Chevrolet Volt, which General Motors Corp. hopes to bring to market as early as 2010. The Volt can drive as far as 40 miles -- far fewer miles than an average person's daily commute -- solely on electricity before turning to gas for assistance.

For trips totaling more than 40 miles, the gas engine will kick in, allowing another 400 miles or so on 6 or 7 gallons of gas, according to www.gm-volt.com, a site maintained by Lyle Dennis, an activist for alternative energy use.

Other all-electric projects that are already in test phases include Nissan's EV-02 prototype, a small, boxy van with looks similar to the Scion xB; and BMW's electric Mini Cooper. The 2008 Detroit Auto Show unveiled a number of all-electric concepts that are not currently slated for production, including the Cadillac Converj, the Chrysler 200C EV and the Volkswagen BlueSport Roadster.

Lithium-ion batteries are the biggest obstacle keeping electric vehicles off the streets. For one, they're large and produce less energy per pound than gasoline, so providing adequate power to a regular-sized vehicle severely cuts down on storage space.

Additionally, the batteries are costly. Two of the only all-electric vehicles on the road, the Tesla Roadster and the Fisker Karma Sunset, both retail for more than $100,000. GM hasn't released official prices for the Volt, but the car is expected to retail at around $40,000.

So far, no one has been able to build a battery that combines range, speed and price, but the race is on. If automakers have it their way, the plug will replace the gas pump in the near future.