The crux of the electric vehicle (EV) issue is deciding what is both affordable and practical in light of the engineering compromise forced on vehicle designers by the cost, size and weight of batteries. It's the battery and the necessary stations for re-charging it, or simply exchanging it for a charged unit, that mean widespread adoption of the all-electric car is unlikely to happen soon. However, an affordable hybrid with a battery that has sufficient capacity to be recognised as useful by even the most ardent Jeremy Clarkson fan is realistic. A battery of reasonable size, complemented by a small diesel engine operating at peak efficiency and a regenerative braking unit is all that is required. Furthermore, this combination would add value to the car by decreasing running costs and reducing carbon emissions, providing that the majority of the power added at the point of charging was from a renewable source.
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