Carmakers' plug-in plans

Production for the Vue Plug-in hasn't been officially announced, but General Motors plans to bring it to market in 2010. That puts it in about the same time frame as the much talked-about Chevrolet Volt.

The Vue Plug-in won't be as revolutionary as the Volt, but it will probably cost a lot less. (The Volt is expected to cost about $40,000.) For starters, the Vue Plug-in will be an enhancement to an existing vehicle, the Vue Two-mode Hybrid that's expected to go on sale next year.

As planned, the Vue Plug-in will be a parallel hybrid. That means that, like a regular Toyota Prius or Ford Escape Hybrid, it will be powered by a gasoline engine with significant assistance from electric motors

Starting with a full charge, GM expects to have an electric-only range of about 10 miles. GM expects overall fuel economy twice that of any current SUV.

NEXT: Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid