Storing Energy in Electric Cars: It Doesn't Add Up

"Climate Change 'Big Priority' for Energy Commission Chief" [news story, March 21] noted that Jon Wellinghoff, newly appointed chairman of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, believes that people who own electric cars or plug-in hybrids could make money storing energy in their car batteries. Is this some kind of Wall Street gimmick or just old-fashioned snake oil?

Consider this: I charge up my car (let's say 10 units at 10 cents per unit for $1) and drive it to work and back. I plug it in at home and the electric company drains the remaining two units and pays me 5 cents per unit. I can't imagine that the company would pay me more than it charges for the stuff, so I have 10 cents on credit. I charge up my car for the next day's commute for 90 cents. However, had the electric company left the two units in my car, I would only have to pay 80 cents for a "fill-up."

I must be missing something here. Maybe The Post's science and economic writers could explain.

JOANNE M. IVANCIC

Frederick

The writer is executive director of Advanced Biofuels USA.