North Carolina Invests in Hybrid Infrastructure
With the growing interest in environmental protection and rising gas prices, many more people are turning to hybrid vehicles to protect the earth, reduce our dependence on foreign oil and save money on gas. In an effort to serve people who have turned to hybrid cars, the State of North Carolina is teaming up with Progress Energy and Duke Energy to create a new center at North Carolina State University to start new research on Plug in hybrid cars, said North Carolina governor Mike Easley on Tuesday.
The governor said that the idea s to make sire that both the technology and the infrastructure for hybrid vehicles are in place before demand outstrips availablity. The cars could average up to 100 miles pergallon based on current research. That would increase the gas mileage of current hybrid like the Toyota Prius by 100%and the triple mileage of gas only vehicles that are rated as fuel efficient.
The new center will be known as the Advanced Transportation energy Center. It will be housed on the Centennial Campus of the North Carolina College. The center will look for ways to make hybrid car batteries that are both cheaper and more efficient. It will also study ways to build an infrastructure for hybrid vehicles throughout the state. The energy project hopes to one day have “charging” stations that would operate much like gas stations that currently dominate the landscape. Charging stations would be placed at strategic intervels to encourage people to use hybrid vehicles for long trips in addition to driving their vehicles for short trips around the city.
Initial funding for the project will come from Progress Energy and Duke energy. The two utility companies will provide any electricity needed for widespread use of hybrid vehicles.
The North Carolina governor says that the project is good for the country. “It is our patriotic duty to free ourselves from dependence on foreign oil and become leaders in developing the technology to make our nation energy independent,” said Easley, who made his announcement at the Emerging Issues Forum in Raleigh. “Just as we have done in the biotech field, we can position our state to be a hub of activity, expertise and a magnet for the new jobs that will emerge as this sector of the economy grows.”
As gas prices continue to increase, consumers are looking to hybrid vehicles to cut their energy bills even though the initial expense of the vehicle is higher. As consumers turn to hybrid vehicles, the car industry and the government are sinking more money into the technology to keep the hybrids a viable alternative for people looking for savings. Hybrids are also popular with customers that are looking to reduce their carbon footprint. The North Carolina project has the potential to help not only hybrid owners in that state, but the research can help hybrid owners in other states to find vehicles with higher gas efficiency. Other states can also use their research to set up their own hybrid vehicle infrastructure.
