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The Associated Press

Yes, you can plug this car in. But it will cost you $80,000.

Featured Topic | Posted 50 weeks 2 days ago

Are plug-in cars around the corner?

Computer users know plug-and-play. Car owners might soon know plug-and-go. That was the message of the Detroit Auto Show this month.

Affordable plug-in hybrid cars could be only a few years away. Right now, in terms of weaning the United States off oil—two-thirds of which goes toward transportation -- plug-in hybrids are far more promising than liquefied coal, corn ethanol, cellulosic ethanol, or hydrogen fuel-cell cars.

But as much as automakers are desperately seeking viable green technology, will consumers actually buy?

Ben likes: Public stiffs green cars

Henry Payne/Planet Gore

After a week of rolling out green products to wow the assembled media hordes and presidential candidates at the North American International Auto Show, the public got its first look at the show Friday and stiffed the green products. The product disconnect is yet another indicator of how out-of-touch America’s elites are with the common folk. Further, it’s more evidence that green priorities are well down the list for buyers when it comes to choosing a vehicle.

Joel likes: The car of the future is here

Joseph Romm/Salon

Time is running out on developing a truly energy-efficient car. Accelerated burning of fossil fuels is bringing us closer to the tipping point of irreversible climate catastrophe. Meanwhile, the cars we build today stay on the road more than 15 years, so we have no time to waste.

Plug-ins are not a global warming solution by themselves. The current electric grid is half coal power, so when plug-ins are running on conventional grid power, they cut net greenhouse gas emissions by perhaps one-third, compared to a regular hybrid running on gasoline. They would, however, cut emissions by well over half compared to a conventional vehicle.