Converting your hybrid into a plug-in ~ Hybrid Car Review
Hybrid Car Review: Converting your hybrid into a plug-in

Friday, July 14, 2006

Converting your hybrid into a plug-in

While I understand the concept of getting as much out of your hybrid as possible (as far as mileage goes), the economic issues that keep many consumers away from buying a hybrid vehicle in the first place will probably keep many of those who buy a hybrid from converting theirs into a plug-in hybrid.

At $12K ($6500 next year), converting your hybrid into a plug-in may not make a lot of economic sense. Even at 100+ mpg, spending that much money on converting your hybrid car is questionable.

Questions I have about converting your car. By running your car on batteries longer, are you going to run into a dead battery that much sooner? At $3000 to replace a hybrid battery, that could be an expensive replacement. Also, (I believe) you add extra batteries in order to run longer on all-electric. Where do those batteries go? These aren't small items, so cutting down on your trunk space could be a real issue. And what about the extra weight?

My other question revolves around the benefits. Are you running "cleaner"? And if so, by how much?

California Cars Initiative estimate a market base of 100,000 plug-in vehicles. That seems high to me, given the significant extra cost and the limited supply of Prius to work with.

The hack-a-hybrid kit - July 1, 2006

The EDrive kit will debut by December with a price of $12,000, installation included. Hymotion's kit, also due later this year, will cost $12,500, a figure that co-founder Ricardo Bazzarella plans to drop to $6,500 by this time next year. He estimates profit margins of 20 to 25 percent and says the success of his business hinges on public awareness.

Get Four Free Price Quotes From Yahoo! Autos Hybrid Research and Pricing at Edmunds.com

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