Because of the extremely low energy density of batteries compared to liquid fuels and the high up-front cost, the capabilities are inherently more compromised than non-plug hybrids or straight internal combustion vehicles. As a result, I don't think there really is one right answer and a variety possibilities is probably a good thing.
If there is a configuration that does break away from the pack in sales I think it will probably be somewhere in the range used by +Honda Accord with its 13 miles and the +Ford Motor Company C-Max and Fusion at 21 miles.
Unlike the Prius, both the Honda and Ford models have sufficient battery capacity (6.7 and 7.7 kWh respectively) and more importantly electric motor power achieve their ranges in normal driving entirely on electricity while maintaining five-passenger seating and some cargo room.
Reshared post from +Green Car Reports
What is your ideal electric range for a plug-in hybrid or range-extended electric vehicle?
Right Electric Range For A Plug-In Hybrid: Is Lower Better?
How much electric range is the “right” amount in a plug-in hybrid or range-extended electric car? If you’re a fan of battery electric vehicles, the answer is “all of it.” But if you want to drive most…
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I think GM got it right. 35-40 miles is probably the right mix for what most people would be willing to pay for, granted the sizing of the power electronics, the full power motor, etc. Anything less and it's not giving the diver that "electric car" feeling.
The question do most people really want that "electric car" feeling or do they want maximum energy efficiency in a package that actually meets their driving needs. If you never need space for more than four and cramped rear seats, the Volt delivers, but most Americans prefer midsize sedans with room for five or crossovers.
When can I haz a nucuular-powered Panther?
With a landau roof, naturally.
+Kelly Bradley you mean the Panther 6? http://www.ridelust.com/cyber-shafts-ride-1977-panther-6/
Oh, gawd.
English…late-70's…electric.
What could possibly go wrong?
Besides EVERYTHING, it's perfect
A plug in hybrid needs to perform, for in-town use, identically to my ICE-powered machine.
So, a minimum of 300 miles between charges, and it needs to take no more than 8 hours to fill from 'E'.
Plus a 1,000 lb battery hanging out back probably wouldn't be much heavier than that old Caddy V8
Hey! Since when is the Northstar 'old'?!
Oh…wait…um…yeah.
Actually the Panther predates the Northstar by a decade
Now I haz a confused.
When you referenced that old Caddy V8, I figured you meant the Northstar in my STS.
That engine design is a bit dated, after all.
2 separate issues here: (1) The eternal debate between whether people want to by an electrified car because of strict monetary savings, or whether they want a better driving/performance experience. This is the debate Larry Edsall described in the first chapter of the Volt book between Bob Lutz and his engineers. The engineers argued for the "light" power-split approach because they had figured out that's the lowest BTU for the car's life cycle. Lutz argued that people want an electric car for how it drives. In my view and calculations, there still aren't any net economic benefits with electrification, so it's better to sell the car based on superior performance, which Tesla does and which you can legitimately do with the Volt too. The second issue is specific for the Volt with its 4 seats. It does not need to be that way, and in a future series of cars that will build upon the Volt, we will likely see 5, 6, 7 and perhaps even 8 seat versions in the next many years.