Ford Escape plug-in prototype shows potential (USA Today)

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Test Drive
James R. Healey




Automakers are moving fast to determine whether plug-in hybrid electric vehicles can be put onto the market affordably.

PHEVs can up to triple fuel mileage in short trips, and recharging costs less than gas to go the same distance. It appears that plug-ins cut tailpipe emissions more than enough to make up for any pollution caused by the plants that generate the electricity to charge them.
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Test Drive examined a prototype Toyota (TM) Prius plug-in hybrid last Friday. This time we'll look at a prototype version of Ford Motor's (F) Escape SUV plug-in hybrid.

The Escape plug-in hybrid, on display at the auto show in Washington, D.C., this week, is rolling into service at Southern California Edison, where some will go to individuals to measure results in ordinary driving.

Before delivering it to the show, Ford engineers gave USA TODAY wheel time in the front-drive prototype.
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more: http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/reviews/healey/2008-01-24-ford-escape-plugin-hybrid_N.htm

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1. Now all Ford has to do

is get the sucker on the market ASAP. Because you know Toyota isn't going to hesitate for a second to do it with theirs. By market I mean the consumer market, and not end up in indefinite limited production limbo like GM's defunct EV1. I hope they don't screw it up.