I see Wired is touting yet another attempt at the fabled electric car concept:

Detroit is going on a green offensive with electric plug-in models that can run emissions-free for up to 40 miles -- at about a quarter the cost of gas -- on batteries that draw their juice directly from the grid.

40 miles is less than you think - and much, much less for anyone who commutes. Heck, I work at home, mostly drive to the grocery store and my daughter's school - and this car would be impractical for me. My existing car (a 1989 Mirage) has a range of 360+ miles on a tank of gas, and it's only got a 12 gallon tank. This electric car has a whopping range of 40 miles - which is just ridiculous. Cue the excitement though:

"Once plug-in hybrids appear, I don't know why 'mere' hybrids would be appealing," said Philip Reed, the Fuel Economy Guide editor for Edmunds. "Plug-in hybrids do everything that hybrids can do but at a lower cost to consumers."

Umm, sure. Let me think: Car I need to remember to plug in, or car I can just park and forget? Heck, I often forget to plug in my cell phone, for gosh sakes. The pure electric car doesn't even work for a light driver like me, and the hybrid just sounds like something that would be a pain in my neck. Thanks, but no thanks.

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