Friday, November 21st, 2008

Plug-In Cars

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An Escape SUV Plug-In Hybrid. courtesy Plug In America

While politicians and economists argue over what should be done to shore up the American auto industry, we'll take a look at progress towards a plug-in cars. Could the current financial crisis help provide the jolt needed to get electric cars and advanced hybrids into widespread production?

Some industry observers have suggested that energy efficiency conditions be set on any government-financed aid to the automobile industry. Can Detroit automakers do it themselves? Or will smaller, more flexible companies have to innovate and show the bigger companies the way? In this hour, we'll talk about the technology and politics involved with getting to electric and plug-in hybrid cars.

Guests

Sherry Boschert
Vice-president, Plug In America
Author, Plug-In Hybrids: The Cars that Will Recharge America
San Francisco, California

Daniel Sperling
Professor of Engineering and Environmental Science and Policy
Director of the Institute of Transportation Studies
Member of the California Air Resources Board, Automotive seat
University of California, Davis
Davis, California

JB Straubel
Chief Technical Officer
Tesla Motors, Inc.
San Carlos, California

Tony Markel
Senior Engineer
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Golden, Colorado

Related Links

Segment produced by:Christopher Intagliata

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Image: A Prius Plug-In Hybrid.
courtesy Plug In America

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Image: The Tesla Roadster.
courtesy Tesla Motors

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Image: The Tesla Roadster.
courtesy Tesla Motors

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