Hybrids and Homeland Security
On many of the US-Mexico border crossings, as one comes back to the US, they have installed these powerful gamma-ray inspection machines. They are vastly superior to any X-ray machine, and can penetrate the thickest metal plate and go deep into a vehicle innards.
Vehicles are randomly selected and sent to this area. Yesterday was my lucky day and my HCH was sent there.
After a few minutes, two agents in a very serious mood, approached me:
"Open up your trunk, we need to inspect it"
I had nothing with me, so I happily obliged. They saw the completely empty trunk, and one of them said, now in quite a menacing voice: "What are you hiding on your seat's back?"
I smiled and said: "This is a hybrid vehicle, the battery and power pack are located in the back seat"
"Hybrid what?" he replied incredously, while he motioned his supervisor to come closer.
Now surrounded by three skeptical agents, with a don't-give-me-that-crap look, I became a little nervous. But pointing at my HCH very prominent Gasoline_Electric label, I explained: "This is a gasoline car who is assisted by an electric motor to tremendously improve fuel efficiency".
That seemed to relax them a bit. I then continued explaining to them the basic principles of hybrids, showed them the engine, the dashboard, etc.
In the end, they thanked me profusely, their attitude now very much changed, and I believe that at least one of them will start looking into hybrids for his next vehicle purchase.
I'm glad that the story had a happy ending, and they did not decide to completely tear apart the vehicle, which they have full authority to do.
And I educated someone too.
It seems strange that on this age there are still many people who are not yet aware of hybrid vehicles. But they do.
Last edited by fernando_g : 10-13-2005 at 07:06 AM.
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