Plug-in hybrids still have limited range, utility

NY Times:

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Irv Miller, Toyota’s group vice president of environmental and public affairs, said in New York that after the batteries are depleted on a plug-in hybrid they become a heavy “boat anchor” until the car can be recharged from a wall outlet. He also expressed reservations about achieving the level of battery durability that can be guaranteed with a long-term warranty.

“The dog doesn’t hunt,” Mr. Miller said. “We may be trying to change the world for a very small part of the market. My wife, for instance, drives only seven miles a day, so a plug-in hybrid makes sense for her. She would need to go to a gas station once every other month.”

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I could not make a one way trip to town on that range much less a trip to Houston or Austin. These vehicles could not replace my pickup or that of other Texans who do not want to give up the utility and ride. The plug-ins are still just glorified gold carts at this stage.

Meanwhile Prius sales are off 45 percent in the US this year. That is at a time when Ford is running three shifts to keep up with demands for the F-150 pickup.