I get 8kWh at .08 = $.64 and 2.5 liters is .6604 gallons at $4.20 = $2.77. So .64 + 2.77 is $3.41 to go 62 miles. The current Prius or TDI costs roughly $5.79 to travel the same distance.

The most fuel efficient cars we have = .093 cents per mile.
The Golf Twin Drive PHEV = .055 cents per mile.

"Our tax incentives ought to be based not on whether a car is a hybrid, but whether a car is fuel efficient" an elected representative is quoted as saying recently. I respectfully suggest our representatives consider the many ways hybrids prove to be much, much more than merely a fuel efficient car, and deserving of subsidy more than most people realize.

The next generation "plug-in" hybrids are finally receiving some credit, but not nearly enough. Sure, plug-in Pruis hybrids readily increase mileage to 100mpg, but this mileage gain is not their only benefit nor main advantage.

The plug-in hybrid adds an extra battery pack mounted low on the frame which can improve stability and handling, especially important for top-heavy, roll-prone SUVs, and for any car as well. The extra battery pack need not be lightweight lithium-ion. The somewhat heavier (but perfected) NiMh battery technology thus takes advantage of its weight. Hybrids have other safety factors -- regenerative braking and stable accelleration. Compact, lightweight, high fuel economy cars offer no such advantage and do not similarly merit subsidy. These safety factors are worthy of legislative appeal.

Following on the heals of plug-in hybrid technology is "V2G" (vehicle to grid), whereby the batteries are not only recharged, they may act as a household back-up power supply, invaluable in an emergency or grid failure. The batteries can store electricity during periods when main utility generators produce a surplus, and they're a perfect technological match with rooftop solar photovoltiac panels.

Believe it or not, these AMAZING advantages and benefits of plug-in hybrids are not at the top of the longer list. Development of the plug-in hybrid is indeed an Apollo Project.

Strange how they equate hybrid with what the Japanese have produced and now that they are being driven in the same direction, they now have to rebrand their idea as a twindrive after downplaying hybrid for diesels for years.

Everyone tries to market their idea as some unique thing when it's not. This is a series hybrid. The idea is no different than the Volt, which tries to brand itself as something different as well. They are all basically electric cars with some type of conventional range extender with the power primaily (hopefully) coming from the grid.

That being said, I hope them well in their endevours and hope that it makes it to the market soon along with all the other PHEV's they are trying to create.

[quote]On a typical commuting route of 100 km (62 miles), the Golf TwinDrive consumes 8 kWh of electricity and 2.5 liters of fuel. Together, the electric motor and engine provide output of up to 130 kW (174 hp)[/quote]

BOUT ****ing time that they offered numbers like these rather than (this golf got 170 mpg!)

hm although i expected better numbers...

Wells, are you serious. Do you seriously think that plug in hybrids are deserving of a subsidy because their heavy and low-mounted batteries lower the cars' center of gravity? This can be done in a number of ways and most regular cars don't need their center of gravity lowered any more. As for lowering the center of gravity of an SUV, here's an idea: buy a station wagon. And using the car as a generator for one's home in a blackout? There's nothing stopping anybody from installing a generator in their home.

I'd like to know the size of the trunk on this car. Hybrids and particularly plug-in hybrids have small trunks thanks to large battery packs. I don't know what the point of a long distance car is if has a very small trunk. Hence, the continued desirability of diesel. I actually wonder if two cars, electric for commuting and diesel for long distance/larger loads, the latter perhaps being a rental when needed, wouldn't be a better alternative.

VW has woken up and smelled the coffee.

But now their going to spend 4 years on a demo! When the demo finishes Volts and Priuses will have been on sale for 2 years. Nissan / Renault will have BEVs.

What is VW playing at?

"What is VW playing at?" ... thinking very much restricted to the current paradigm, that's what. They were so obsessed by squeezing the last drop out of diesel (and there is still room there) that they didn't look beyond the world of ICE. Now they will pay the price by being late to the EV party. The one bright spot is that they look to be the first major OEM to seriously implement V2G which could put them back in the game if they can implement this ahead of other major car companies.

Peter, I am serious, but I won't argue the matter with you. Since you've made an arrogant dismissal of my viewpoint, so too must I dismiss yours. Which car gets better mileage: a Chevy Suburban or a Honda Insight? It's the Chevy Suburban, a roll-prone SUV that could improve stability by reducing its center-of-gravity. It takes 5 Honda Insights to transport the same number of people as 1 Suburban. You like diesel? Then pair it to a hybrid drivetrain and further improve mileage and reduce emissions. Ford and GM produced hybrid 4-door sedan prototypes in the mid-90's. Both used turbo-charged diesel engines and achieved 70 and 80mpg respectively. BURNNN!!!

Justin VP, how can you be so cruel (even if it is true). This all goes back to the days when Lucas Industries provided most auto electrical parts, particularly the early headlights called "King of the Road". And so Joseph Lucas became known as the Prince of Darkness.
Wells, for your own sake, don’t touch a keyboard until the effects wear off. Whatever you do, don’t add any ballast to your SUV to equal the batteries and motors of a hybrid.
Actually non-hybrids should get a 10% handicap to qualify for the HOV lane. They have less weight and material consumption. With all that extra weight; it’s a wonder hybrids do better than a TDI. And no wonder they cost more than they can ever save (Ohooo heresy).

Wells, I have no problem with diesel-hybrids. I think they would be great.

So, the Suburban can hold more people and stuff than an Insight. I think everyone here already knew that. Unfortunately many people who own a Suburban use it for commuting with no passengers. I was visiting a friend near Charlotte a few months ago. Her neighbor had two Suburbans. The mother is a stay at home Mom and hauls all the kids around. There are only two kids, so right there, even her Suburban is far larger than necessary. The guy commutes to work alone is his Suburban. Why can't he drive an Insight or take the train? BTW, most Suburbans only seat 8 people, that's 4 Insights, not 5. And a Sprinter holds 10 people and is way more fuel efficient than a Suburban. In Europe, there are alternatives that seat 7-9 people and are even more efficient than a Sprinter, such as a Renault Espace 2.0D or Renault Trafic 2.0D.

I'm sorry you think my dismissal of your viewpoint was "arrogant", but we have safety standards for cars and trucks. If you don't think they are strict enough, advocate for stricter ones. Just like I don't think we should subsidize plug in hybrids over other similarly fuel efficient vehicles, I don't think we should subsidize plug in hybrids over other vehicles with similarly low centers of gravity. So, rather than an arrogant dismissal, I have considered your viewpoint and fail to see the logic.

Are we forgeting that the humble Auris/Yaris 1.4 D4D outsels the prius 10-1 in Europe... horses for courses guys, horses for courses.

Which car gets better mileage: a Chevy Suburban or a Honda Insight? It's the Chevy Suburban, a roll-prone SUV that could improve stability by reducing its center-of-gravity. It takes 5 Honda Insights to transport the same number of people as 1 Suburban.

Wells, you are living in a fairy land where people love each other and all drive cars that are sized to their needs.

If plug-In vehicles get their electricity from the grid and the grid is 30% efficient in delivering energy from the coal mine to the socket, and coal-electric is the largest single source of CO2 production in the world, then how can electric vehicles be considered "sustainable"?

This discussion has to shift its focus to energy production/delivery/comsumption as a combined issue. Electric vehicles will succeed (and our control of global warming) when PV and Wind electric also become successful in the market and are integrated into the grid