Democratizing hybrid technologies

Engineers continue to wring efficiency and mass out of their latest electrified propulsion systems with the aim of mainstreaming the technology.

Would you buy a new plug-in hybrid car if the price was 75% less than retail? If so, then hop a plane to Amsterdam because the Dutch have a deal for you.

To jump-start the sale of PHEVs, thus assisting its multi-million-euro investment in national vehicle-charging infrastructure, the Netherlands government is offering the richest purchase incentive of its kind in the world-75% of the vehicle's MSRP, noted Dr. Francois Badin, Director of Vehicle Electrification at IFPEN, a French research organization studying future transportation issues.