The plug-in hybrid goes 30 minutes on a charge then turns back to operating like a regular hybrid. The trick is that for the first 30 minutes you were traveling only at 1 or 2 cents a mile rather than paying out 14 or 15 cents a mile. Electric vehicles charge longer because they typically go farther on a charge. I have an all electric car that has a 50 mile range. I use it everyday. As long as I don't need to go more than 50 miles I am OK. I have saved lots of money in the 5 years I have owned my car. Thousands of dollars in fuel, maintinence and repair costs.