gang

I am more than enthused about the prospect of retrofitting hybrids with the plug in option. Apparently we can get over 100mpg and be almost foreign oil free nation.

I know cal cars and other groups have reffitted pruises, but im eager to know if anyone else has thoughts on it and are as hopeful as i about how soon we can covert.

cheers

You're not the only one it seems ... Congress urged to fund plug-in hybrids ... but funding this way isn't the best approach IMHO.

--RichC --- "My Desultory Blog" & CinciTDI Club

Unlike the H(2) fiasco, plug-in technology works. It basicly moves the mark towards the EV side of the equation.

Bob Wilson

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
Free speech, dialog and knowledge thrives without the poison of SPAM.

I'm not disagreeing, but if you've got to encourage a particular alternative, I'd like to see private venture investment evaluating risk and reward ... one that if you must have tax incentives, has a "business tax credit" attached to the profit end of the equation. When a company makes money they receive a tax break or credit for taking on the venture ... not $250 million taxpayer dollars up front in 'hopes' some company doesn't squander it.

Not the the biofuel industry is without fault ... but they must first make the dollars before getting the tax credits in building facilities and hiring employees to produce ethanol and biodiesel.

--RichC --- "My Desultory Blog" & CinciTDI Club

I tend to prefer the KC-135 and depleted uranium round approaches. The government makes a commitment to buy enough to open up at least one, preferably two, assembly lines. Then changes the specifications over time to reduce costs and improve reliability and encourage deployment in other fleets.

Bob Wilson

Operation Iraqi Oil Freedom:

Automatic, stock, project car.

My other 1500 cc car:

Automatic, stock, backup car.
Free speech, dialog and knowledge thrives without the poison of SPAM.

I think a plug-in is fine but you need the energy source to be clean and not foreign oil dependent (wind, nuclear, hydro, etc). Carrying your power in the form of chemical energy (hydrocarbon/or bio + battery) is still the best way to go for now.

i really think the plug in option will complete alter the industry. I hope they come out with one by 2009.

I'd agree, I've read that Toyota and Ford are both looking into it, and I know the arguements on both sides, but that shouldn't mean we shouldn't at least have an option.

I certainly would enjoy being even a tester for such a technology.

First 4WD Hypermiler

Have you read the FEH FAQ?

Live in Michigan? Let it be known in Michigan Roll Call

Read My Automotive Blog at Rich Rambles

rich
lets face it. most of us drive under 40 miles on a daily basis. Even folks who commute more during the week probably could go gas free on the weekends. I think some auto maker is going to give it a shot.

almost all of us understand that we will probably never fully recover the price of our hybrids in gas savings -but still bought them. We will never save $1000s of dollars on regular maps, but still buy the nav system anyway.

so why would we not pay a couple of thousand extra on top of hybrid prices to get 100mpg??? They could do it now without developing further lightweight batteries.

Come 2008, you may not need to convert, as Toyota engineers have leaked that the next Prius should have a 9 mile AER (all-electric-range) from plugging-in.

It may actually be cheaper to trade in your '04/'05 Prius for a new '08 Prius than go for a Hymotion or Edrive conversion.

http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/ecotech/ecot.htm