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?

Reshared post from +Talking Points Memo

A Romney strategist still upset that a misleading Jeep ad received "four Pinocchios" from a Washington Post fact checker:

Since battery-powered vehicles don't generally have a source of excess thermal energy such as an engine cooling system, they have to rely on the available electrical energy to keep the cabin habitable. That and other factors can significantly reduce driving range when the temperature drops as it has this week in Michigan. Check out this web chat to get some helpful hints.

Reshared post from +Chevrolet

Attention Volt drivers: We’re hosting a web chat about getting the most out of your range this winter. Join in on all the fun today at noon! http://spr.ly/ColdWXWebchat

Reshared post from +Talking Points Memo

Filibuster re-norm:

Every publication should follow the leads of +John Pozadzides, +Cali Lewis, +Leo Laporte/ +TWiT and others and openly declare editorial independence.

On a side note, while I personally am not averse to negative reviews where they are justified, John and Cali certainly have the right to not spend the time doing them. I've gone both ways in the past writing negative reviews of some vehicles I've driven while taking a pass on providing coverage to some vehicles (I'm looking at you Mitsubishi Outlander!).

Reshared post from +John Pozadzides

A Public Promise About +Geek Beat Editorial Independence
In the wake of the +CNET / +CBS debacle, where editorial integrity was compromised by executive control of the company, +Cali Lewis and I have had multiple people question us, both internally and externally, about whether it's OK to report on certain stories on Geek Beat.

To be clear, we are an independent news outlet. Our authors, editors and producers have never been directed to spin a story in any direction, nor will they ever be.  I invite our 50+ contributing authors to publicly verify or refute this statement at any time. 

Each member of our team has the freedom to report on any topic they feel is newsworthy, and neither myself, +Cali Lewis , or our Editor in Chief +Dave Peterson have ever denied a story or influenced its direction.  And there are currently over 2,000 articles on http://GeekBeat.TV.

There are only two guidelines that we have instituted, and they are applied universally, not selectively:

1) We don't publish negative reviews.  Its not worth our time, its not worth our reader's time, and it's not good for companies who trust us enough to send us their products for review.  We do provide companies privately with negative feedback so they may improve, then we move on to share stories about things we actually like.

2) We don't do coverage that our followers and readers would find indecent.

We pledge to you that no partner, distributor, carrier, advertiser, or any other external force will ever interfere with our editorial process.

Furthermore, if there is significant news that any other journalist feels they are unable to publish through another outlet due to persecution, bias or some other form of interference, we pledge to make our platform available.

They can't win fairly at the ballot box, so they find every way they can to twist the system to their advantage.

Reshared post from +Talking Points Memo

Group opposed to the Electoral College calls Virginia GOP plan to reapportion electoral votes by congressional district ”an incredibly unfair and indefensible proposal.”

Reshared post from +The Verge

Journalists and activists report having their Skype calls tapped http://bit.ly/WWDbbo