Plug-in Hybrid
The plug-in hybrid has some of the capability of the electric car, but retains the long range of hydrocarbon fuel for longer journeys. The battery of a plug-in hybrid is much larger. A conventional hybrid is capable of operating two to ten kilometers in city traffic on battery power before it must start the gasoline engine to get a recharge. The plug-in is expected to do a minimum of 20 kilometres on battery power alone. This will let most people do a typical cross-town commute without using their gasoline engine. However, when they undertake a longer journey, the gasoline engine and fuel are available for this.
These vehicles will offer the added benefit that their gasoline engines will (typically) not operate in the built-up area, greatly reducing pollution. Owners may be given incentives to buy such vehicles simply to reduce urban emissions. As long as charging takes place at night, when demand for electricity tends to be low, it may not be necessary to build new generation capacity.