Even as fierce winter winds knocked out power to thousands of Northern California homes, Tammy Snyder’s rural storm-battered house remained bathed in brightness.
Her plug-in hybrid Chevy Volt, linked to the house by long extension cords, powered her family’s favorite lamp, as well as the refrigerator, internet and furnace. It charged the batteries that run her phone, laptop, electric blanket, camp light, flashlights, power tools and a comfy heating pad that wraps around her shoulders.
