That rate will jump to 7.8 cents under the price increases greenlighted by the state this week, but electric vehicle power costs will still be lower than fuel costs for gas cars, said Ed Kjaer, Edison's director of electric transportation. Owners recharge for free around Southern California, such as at Ontario Mills and the Galleria at Tyler malls. The property owner foots the power bill as a public service. Despite Californians being asked to conserve every kilowatt, electric cars are not considered a drain on the state power grid, even in this era of rolling blackouts, Kjaer said. It's a decimal point.
Hybrid cars appear to be the future direction chosen by the auto industry.
Honda debuted the Insight in 1999, and Toyota introduced its Prius last July. These cars run on a gasoline engine with assistance from an electric motor. The electric portion is recharged by the car itself and doesn't need to be plugged in. The combination allows the Insight and Prius to boast gas mileage that blows the doors off traditional sedans and cuts tailpipe pollution. Today's gas prices almost seem like a gift for hybrid car salesmen.