Survey says: Plug me in

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Plug-in hybrids aren’t in showrooms yet, but they may receive a warm welcome when they arrive, according to a new survey.

The survey, by Colorado-based Pike Research, found that a “solid” 48% of consumers said they would be “extremely” or “very” interested in buying a plug-in hybrid with a range of at least 40 miles between charges.

‘Plug-in hybrids match the driving requirements of most consumers we surveyed,” said Clint Wheelock, managing director of Pike Research. He added that 82% of the respondents said they drive 40 miles or less a day, with an average daily driving distance of 27 miles.

The results, gleaned from a survey of 1,041 U.S. consumers, should be good news for General Motors, Ford, Toyota and other automakers that are developing or studying plug-in hybrids.

Conventional hybrids use a gasoline engine and an electric motor in tandem in an effort to achieve better fuel economy. As currently envisioned, plug-in hybrids would have more powerful batteries that would allow them to travel at highway speeds on electric-only power for several miles. GM is says its Chevrolet Volt will have a 40-mile electric-only range when it goes on sale late next year. They would operate as conventional hybrids after that; the batteries could be plugged in and re-charged overnight.

(The Volt adds a twist to the concept. Its gasoline engine drives a generator that recharges the main battery after the initial 40 miles. GM calls it an extended-range electric car.)

Of the consumers that expressed strong interest in plug-ins, 65% said they would be willing to pay an average premium of 12% over the cost of a conventional car. The price premium is likely to be more than that, with the Volt expected to cost upwards of $40,000.

-- Martin Zimmerman