The plug-in hybrid version of the Ford Escape is not due until late 2012, so it’s way to early to know the actual price. But what the hell, I’ll take a wild guess? Considering that the most expensive “Limited” 4-wheel-drive hybrid version of the Ford Escape has an MSRP of $34,300, I’ll say the plug-in hybrid version—promising 30 miles of all-electric range—will sell for around $45,000 to $50,000.

That’s pretty hefty for a crossover SUV, but it might be the price of admission for first mostly electric vehicle with SUV-like characteristics—but that can provide hundreds of miles of range from its gasoline engine. To make matters worse, the battery pack might fall shy of the 16 kWh required to get the full $7,500 tax credit. So, assuming that it will qualify for at least $5,000, the drive-off-the-lot price could still run north of $40,000. Keep in mind: these figures are all guesswork.

There are all-electric SUVs in the works—like the new Toyota RAV4 EV due out right around the same times as the plug-in hybrid Escape. But the Escape could be the only small SUV offering a solid all-electric range of dozens of miles, plus hundreds of additional miles of range—unless General Motors delivers on rumors that it will produce a Volt-like SUV. If G.M. comes through, expect an even steeper price tag than the one we’re guessing will be on the Escape PHEV.

As with all cars running on electricity and an electric motor, the Ford Escape Plug-in Hybrid's operating cost per mile can be several times lower than a comparable combustion-engine vehicle. Using the U.S. average electricity price of 12 cents per kilowatt-hour, the TC Electric will cost approximately 3-4 cents per mile to operate. Electricity prices are incredibly variable around the country and world, so you'll want to do your own calculations depending on where you live.