What are your thoughts on the future of transportation? I think something like this would be a great bridge to an all-electric automobile in the future.

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Volvo V60 is All-Electric, Plug-In Hybrid and Diesel Vehicle All in One
Written by Megan Treacy on 24/02/11
http://ecogeek.org/images/stories/volvo-v60.jpg
volvo-v60
Having trouble deciding between an all-electric, plug-in hybrid or diesel vehicle? Well, Volvo says you can have all three -- in one car.

The new Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid sports wagon can change between those modes by just the push of a button and a driver can experience all three modes during a single trip.

Switching the car into Pure mode makes it an all-electric vehicle. The 70-horsepower electric motor drives the rear wheels, and the lithium-ion battery pack provides a 30-mile range per charge. Each full charge takes about three hours. The Hybrid mode offers a 125 mpg equivalent and a 745-mile range. When you want to maximize performance, switching into Power mode lets you go 0-62 in 6.9 seconds, while sacrificing some efficiency.

In case a driver has trouble deciding which mode to use, the car has navigation technology that automatically recommends the best mode choices for each trip.

It's currently just a concept that will debut at the Geneva Auto Show, but Volvo says it could be at dealerships in Europe by 2012. Those lucky Europeans.

From EcoGeek

Timetrvlr, have you ever seen the documentary, "Who Killed The Electric Car?"

alan smithee wrote:

Timetrvlr, have you ever seen the documentary, "Who Killed The Electric Car?"

No, I haven't but I've heard a lot about it. I think in the future electric cars will be common, a few are already being marketed. At the moment, there is very little support structure so electric cars are only practical in urban areas. Right now, I think hybrid autos are the bridge technology we need to get to an all electric car future.

The other thing that really matters is where will all that additional electricity come from? I hope we won't continue building new coal power plants but instead, rely on wind, solar, hydro and other renewable energy sources. Smart Meters can be used to charge our electric autos at times when the grid demand is low.

I thought we were supposed to be like the Jetsons by now.

I'm all for alternative energies but sometimes I think some get a bit ahead of ourselves and act like we can just flip a switch and change. Other energy sources are a good thing to keep on the table in the future, but right now, it'll have to remain just a vision for the future.