A new study shows a proliferation of plug-in hybrid cars could have a major impact on reducing pollution, the Pasadena Star-News reports.
And Southern California Edison is looking to be part of the solution.
Widespread adoption of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) could reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars by more than 450 million metric tons annually by 2050, according to a study by the Electric Power Research Institute and the Natural Resources Defense Council.
PHEVs could improve nationwide air quality and reduce petroleum consumption by 3million to 4 million barrels per day in 2050, according to the study.
“This research accelerates our understanding of the interplay of emissions from various sources,” Steve Specker, EPRI president and CEO, said in a statement. “We now see that widespread use of PHEVs could expand the fuel options in our transportation sector and at the same time yield net benefits to our environment.”
A number of petroleum alternatives are popular today, from natural gas to biodiesel to ethanol, but electricity is the one alternative that has existing infrastructure already in place, said Edward Kjaer, director of electric transportation for Rosemead-based Southern California Edison.
