But that's just the problem -- if.
There are a number of unrealized battery options out there, and some look pretty dang promising. I would much rather see R&D going into battery tech even if it never produces a thing.
Full electric would require either incredible energy density (800 mile+ ranges) or be a technology that allows for easy "refueling", which in case we'd need the refueling infrastructure -- and all at an affordable price.
Research into the battery tech would take years with no guarantee of success, then a couple years of conversion... it's too long without payback.
Plug-in hybrids can be done immediately. You only need ~30 mile electric range to account for... what, 80+% of driving? Gas/diesel refueling infrastructure is already in place.
Check out the link I gave you. The charge is held in the electrolyte, so you literally could stop at a station and change out your battery fluid and leave with a full charge. Not only is it highly efficient (at least as good as current battery tech and possibly 2x->3x better), they also have a working sample, which they are saying is pretty cheap to make. In other words, this is a solution that is ready for manufacturing right now, not a theoretical "oh, this would be cool" solution.
Something like this would benefit hybrids as well as all electrics and this is where I would like the government to research. As an added bonus. The benefits of researching into better battery tech is that techs such as solar or wind all the sudden become much more feasible. Having a large arrays of batteries really allows us to better utilize our power.
Yes, the infrastructure isn't in place, and that is a big issue. It probably will be something that is at first only feasible for city areas. However, if we never start the change it will never have a chance to happen. At one time, it was believed that Cellphone technology would never be feasible, yet with some large investments by the government it eventually payed off.
You'd have an instant huge increase in transportation efficiency comparable to all-electric and doable at a much lower technology level. It allows for a naturally paced evolution of electric tech as any incremental advances could be put into the field immediately; not have to wait to be "total conversion of the fleet" -ready.
We already have all-electric vehicles. In fact, the level of technology that goes into a hybrid is MUCH higher then the level of tech that goes into an electric vehicle. After all, a hybrid is an electric + gas powered engine. Making them play nicely can be difficult. (but obviously doable).
When looking at a very real problem like oil demand outpacing supply, the government should be looking for the best real solution, not the best imagined one.
An all electric fleet IS a real solution. Especially in city areas. Supplementing it with better public transport would really be all we need.
...Better to convert now while we are still riding the wave of cheap oil, and only the government can direct companies in that direction. Consumers only direct from behind. (Consumer demand comes from hindsight, not foresight. Only after being hit in the face with a problem does the consumer realize that he have need to purchase a solution.)
I agree with this. When it comes to mass adoption of new technology such as an hybrid or electric vehicle, government intervention is really a necessity.