Comments on: Ford, electric utility to promote plug-in hybrids

Automaker to partner on pilot program to test hybrid electric vehicles with California electric utility.

[wylbur]

rolling blackouts

Wow, a utility that threatens its customers with rolling blackouts
now wants them to plug in their cars too. What a huge dichotomy:
On the one hand conservation programs and rolling blackouts to
reduce the load, on the other a plan to encourage people to add a
major load to the system. That is just plain perplexing and
contradictory.

[stlwest]

Most charging would be off peak

But if there are rolling blackouts, make sure it's not an electric only or you won't be rolling anywhere. You would think California gigantic solar subsidies would start to offset a lot of that peak usage also.

[shane--2008]

wake up

maybe you missed the whole scandal where the "blackouts" where
created by greedy companies, but lets forget that for a second...

if charging 20 cars in test program during off peak hours is a
"major load to the system" then it is time to shutdown the whole
energy infrastructure and start over from the beginning.

[theBike45]

Silly test - all PR

If Ford actually was silly enough to spend money "testing" the plug-in hybrid concept, they would do it in Detroit using their own workers.
This media outlet extravaganza to launch a
study which has virtually no logic behind its
existence is, I suppose, the best that the loonies at Ford could come up with to counter the
actualy plug-in production program at GM with their VOLT, due out (for certain) in late '09).
At least 7 cities and towns have bought aftermarket plug-ins to "test." Never has a more obvious technology required so much in the way of
"testing." What exactly do these fools think they're going to learn that they don't already know? You drive the car home into your garage or carport and you plug it in. Other than that, its just another automobile. I notice that Ford didn't seem to require any "testing" before they launched their own hybrid model. Perhaps someone should tell Ford that finding a practical battery is the hard part when it comes to building a plug-in. Anybody can build the car.

[yacahuma]

another stalling tatic, we already charge laptops, cell ph, etcones

Ford engineer.Listen . Electric car = electric engine + batteries. We already charge laptops and cellphone and toys,and ... T

"Between 1832 and 1839 (the exact year is uncertain), Robert Anderson of Scotland invented (fordthe first crude electric carriage." web source

More than a 100 years of electric car history. There is nothing more to test.

Next time I insult someone I will call it a ford engineer.

[RyleeROBERTS]

Converting HEVs to PHEVs helps minimize the impact of transportation on the environment. Bringing plug-in conversion technology to SUV Hybrids promises to produce even more environmentally friendly vehicles in the future.Autopartswarehouse will surely be happy with this idea.