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Ford Tests Plug-In Hybrids in California

By Joe Benton
ConsumerAffairs.com

July 9, 2007

The utility will receive a Ford plug-in hybrid vehicle by the end of this year and as many as 20 by 2009 to test their durability, range and impact on the power grid.

Ford is touting the deal as a “unique partnership between a power provider and an automaker that should help bring plug-in hybrids to market more quickly.”

Plug-in hybrids generally have batteries that power an electric motor along with an internal combustion engine for use when the batteries run low.

The batteries can be recharged by plugging them into a standard wall outlet.

Southern California Edison plans to offer the plug-ins to selected consumers and collect data on their use.

Power shortages are a recurring problem in Southern California Edison's highly populated service area and the utility is under a state mandate to build five power plants that would fire up during peak energy use periods. The new plants would help avoid projected energy shortages.

In the auto industry, mass production of plug-in hybrids is slowed by high costs and battery technology that limits the vehicles' range. With a growing number of consumers demanding the technology as an alternative to gasoline powered vehicles, manufacturers are searching for efficient ways to bring the plug-ins to market.

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