Plug‐In Electric Vehicles

This 2008 fact sheet from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) defines plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) and outlines their potential to reduce U.S. oil dependence and greenhouse gas emissions. It details different PEV types, the economic and environmental advantages of electrification, and the battery technology challenges facing manufacturers aiming for 2010 production targets.

• Plug-in electric vehicles are categorized into several types: battery electric vehicles that rely solely on the grid, plug-in hybrids that combine grid electricity with other power sources (typically internal combustion engines), and extended-range vehicles where the engine or fuel cell only recharges the battery rather than driving the wheels.
• Electrifying the transportation sector could improve U.S. energy security and reduce emissions, as 96 percent of U.S. transportation energy currently comes from oil, with nearly 70 percent of that oil being imported.
• Based on a residential electricity rate of $0.18/kwh, a typical mid-size electric sedan would cost the equivalent of less than two dollars per gallon of gasoline and have a carbon footprint comparable to a gasoline car achieving 50 miles per gallon.
• The main obstacle to market expansion is battery technology, specifically the need for batteries that provide sufficient power, capacity, and durability. Manufacturers including Nissan, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Chevrolet (with the Volt) were testing vehicles to target a 2010 showroom date.

APA

Mueller, J., & Mauer, J. (2008). Plug‐In Electric Vehicles. Environmental and Energy Study Institute. https://www.eesi.org/files/plugin_factsheet_073008.pdf

Chicago

Mueller, Jan, and Joanna Mauer. Plug‐In Electric Vehicles. Environmental and Energy Study Institute, 2008. https://www.eesi.org/files/plugin_factsheet_073008.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Mueller |first1=Jan |last2=Mauer |first2=Joanna |title=Plug‐In Electric Vehicles |publisher=Environmental and Energy Study Institute |date=30 July 2008 |url=https://www.eesi.org/files/plugin_factsheet_073008.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{mueller2008plugin, author = {Mueller, Jan and Mauer, Joanna}, title = {{Plug‐In Electric Vehicles}}, institution = {Environmental and Energy Study Institute}, year = {2008}, month = jul, url = {https://www.eesi.org/files/plugin_factsheet_073008.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }