Prodding car makers to sell plug-in electric vehicles

Automakers have expressed interest in producing plug-in hybrids but, so far, none has committed to a certain date. Some experts say consumers can prime the pump with “soft orders.”

Here’s an ad we’d like to see: “Car for sale. Late model PHEV. Zippy acceleration, 100 miles per gallon of gasoline, zero tailpipe emissions for typical daily operation. Matches the driving range of any car on the road today at half the operating cost. Fun to drive, helps secure our nation’s energy supply, greatly reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Batteries included.”

SanJoseMercury