Skip to Content

Cutting Greenhouse Gases with Plug-Ins

We knew they would save gas; now we know they’re cleaner, too.
July 19, 2007

Adding extra batteries to hybrids, and a plug to charge them, is a good way to save gas, replacing it with electricity from the grid. Indeed, drivers could commute to work and back using almost no gasoline. Such “plug-in” hybrids have garnered support from those who hope to reduce consumption of foreign oil.

But it hasn’t been completely clear that replacing gasoline with electricity produced largely from fossil fuels would help reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. And some have feared that using more electricity would drive up levels of sulfates, ozone, particulates, and other pollutants in the air.

A study released today by the environmental group National Resources Defense Council and the Electric Power Research Institute helps clear up these issues, showing that

plug-ins, once they’re on the market, will significantly cut greenhouse gases. They’ll also decrease other pollutants, on average, across the United States.

Keep Reading

Most Popular

Geoffrey Hinton tells us why he’s now scared of the tech he helped build

“I have suddenly switched my views on whether these things are going to be more intelligent than us.”

ChatGPT is going to change education, not destroy it

The narrative around cheating students doesn’t tell the whole story. Meet the teachers who think generative AI could actually make learning better.

Meet the people who use Notion to plan their whole lives

The workplace tool’s appeal extends far beyond organizing work projects. Many users find it’s just as useful for managing their free time.

Learning to code isn’t enough

Historically, learn-to-code efforts have provided opportunities for the few, but new efforts are aiming to be inclusive.

Stay connected

Illustration by Rose Wong

Get the latest updates from
MIT Technology Review

Discover special offers, top stories, upcoming events, and more.

Thank you for submitting your email!

Explore more newsletters

It looks like something went wrong.

We’re having trouble saving your preferences. Try refreshing this page and updating them one more time. If you continue to get this message, reach out to us at customer-service@technologyreview.com with a list of newsletters you’d like to receive.