What is it? The plug-in Escape is being employed in a beta test of sorts by an electric utility company in Southern California. It may also represent the future of personal transportation, and a high-efficiency alternative to burning petroleum. Ford claims that this otherwise ordinary Escape Hybrid can get 120 mpg for the first 30 miles of driving. The plug-in Escape uses lithium-ion batteries in place of the standard Escape hybrid's nickel-metal hydride battery pack. Using a standard household 110-volt outlet, it takes six to eight hours to charge up the plug-in Escape, after which it can go up to 30 miles on electricity without ever starting the gasoline engine. However, if the driver tries to accelerate hard or exceeds 20 mph, the gas engine will still start. After 30 miles, the battery pack is depleted, and the plug-in reverts to normal hybrid operation.

What is new or notable? The plug-in Escape has an on-board computer that calculates the cost savings from charging the car up with electricity rather than filling it with gas. The driver has to enter the price per gallon and kilowatt of electricity.

Consumer Reports New cars: A to Z

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