I have been listening on CNN, to the debates re:Obama vs McCain's perspective on energy policy and CNN's analysis of the feasibility of hybrid technology, for our future transportation needs, and reducing our dependence on foreign oil.
Obama talked specifically about PLUG-IN Hybrid technology, where he would give tax rebates to those who would purchase such vehicles when they became available, and funnel money to Detroit automakers to "re-tool" for new production.
In my opinion, PLUG-IN Hybrid technology has been misrepresented by CNN in their analyses of the topic. PLUG-IN Hybrid's do not rely solely on battery technology and this has not been made clear.
PLUG-IN Hybrids utilize BOTH battery technology for the first 40 miles of travelling, and have the ability to switch to a gasoline (or biofuel) conventional hybrid motor, for distances in excess of 40 miles.
For those of us who travel to work within 40 miles per day round trip, we would NEVER need to utilize the hybrid gasoline motor, until perhaps the weekend when maybe we make a longer trip. Again, off a single charge (at night), the PLUG-IN Hybrid would be capable of travelling the first 40 Miles from battery and then switches to gasoline power.
What this means is PHENOMENAL gas mileage. A pilot program sponsored by Google and followed on rechargeIT.org is showing Hybrid Prius' that have been converted to PLUG-IN Hybrids, getting the equivalent of over 100 miles per gallon. This would be the case if most of your trips daily fell within the 40 mile range.
I am thoroughly enjoying watching iReporters who are posting their YouTUbe videos of living and using these PLUG-IN Hybrids...and filling up at the gas pump 2 months later, getting over 100 miles to the gallon.
I wanted to raise this to the attention of CNN, and to have you see for yourself, these iReporters who are "living the dream" without Pain at the pump.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWR6aN8ixxU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5WmcnSkUTw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oxQRpPlPPk
Please look at this, and I KNOW you will be interested in following this.
This technology is available NOW and is part of Obama's plan. HOWEVER, Senator McCain wants to "leap frog" this technology and strive toward a battery that would completely run our vehicles electrically...a technology that is thought to be decades away. This is a big difference between their policies.