In So Cal, the grid is much greener than in some other parts of the country. Still not perfect of course, (nor up to the levels of some European countries), but at least we in the "US of California" are going the right direction (unlike *cough* *cough* those currently on Pennsylvania Ave who want to bring back coal). And yes, those *coughs* were from coal dust....
For driving around town, electricity is smoother, quieter, more convenient, less polluting and for most people, cheaper. However, for driving out-of-town, gas is still pretty smooth, pretty quiet, more convenient on long trips (because you can fill up almost anywhere in just a few minutes) and also cheaper (because a gas engine is cheaper than a huge battery). This is why plugin-hybrids make so much sense - they are much less expensive than comparable electric vehicles (where can you get an EV with a 600 mile range and the ability to charge anywhere in 3 minutes anyway???) but still provide most of the same benefits 90% of the time (when you are near home). I've driven all around the city on nothing but electricity and on nothing but L1 charging from the included charger at a cost that's so low compared to a conventional car it might as well be free (insurance costs 3-4 times as much as fuel). Soon I'll be traveling to a place with no Ev chargers of any sort anywhere in the entire town, and with the nearest supercharger station that's at least sort of along my route over 160 miles away. The distance between the two nearest superchargers is almost 300 miles and that includes a diversion. Without a diversion it's about 400 miles between them. But I'll bet I'll find a gas station in between, not that I'll need one with a 600 mile range!
Actually, I'm just now taking it out, to take a couple pictures of it (first sunny, and not horrendously-busy day), and I opened the windows as I drove it out of the parking garage, I heard a kinda ... wind-whistling sound. I'm guessing that must be it. iPhone ? Pro
You can hear it if you are outside the car and in front of it, or if you are inside the car, have the windows down, have the radio off, and there is some sort of noise reflector in front of you like a garage, wall or large sign.
I think I'm having one of my best tanks yet ... so far. Gauge reads one half. EV/HV ratio reads 50/50 at the moment; 239 miles of EV and 239 miles of HV when I got to work. But @bisco makes my score look like I'm a gas hog. I think I could be more like 80% or so EV with a Prime, but I don't think that would save me enough money to buy one right now. Maybe if gas was at European prices?
Bring back coal it has never been close to leaving . Coal and nuclear are almost deffinatly powering our lives and cars to charge. Even cali where it imports almost 40% of its own electricity. Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.