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Plug-In Hybrids Aren't Coming, They're Here

Posted by kdawson on from the fiull-'er-up dept.

Wired is running a story about the small but vocal, and growing, number of people who aren't waiting for automakers to deliver plug-in hybrids. They're shelling out big money to have already thrifty cars converted into full-on plug-in hybrids capable of triple-digit fuel economy. "The conversions aren't cheap, and top-of-the-line kits with lithium-ion batteries can set you back as much as $35,000. Even a kit with lead-acid batteries — the type under the hood of the car you drive now — starts at five grand. That explains why most converted plug-ins are in the motor pools of places like Southern California Edison... No more than 150 or so belong to people like [extreme skiing champion Alison] Gannett, who had her $30,000 Ford Escape converted in December. Yes, that's right. The conversion cost more than the truck."

7 of 495 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Efficiency by marcushnk · · Score: 4, Funny

    You're obviously a Linux user...

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  2. But... Think of the children! by Colin+Smith · · Score: 4, Funny

    If you have a truck, you'll be able to mow down a whole group rather than just the front rank!

     

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  3. Re:Efficiency by CmdrGravy · · Score: 5, Funny

    How about she uses a ski lift like everyone else, the lazy hussy.

  4. Re:Efficiency by cayenne8 · · Score: 2, Funny
    "As for ICE efficiency, Toyota says their Prius gasoline engine achieves 40% and Volkswagen determined their 3-cylinder Lupo diesel engines are at 50%."

    Yeah, yeah, yeah.....but, what are their 0-60mph times??

    :-)

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  5. Re:Efficiency by Ihlosi · · Score: 4, Funny
    My nightmare is having an electric car during and evacuation for a hurricane. It is hard enough now to find gas to get out, not to mention if you screw up, and are in traffice for up to 20 hours (hot days with the AC running). You'd be stranded pretty badly in an electric car [...]

    ... unless you bring a generator, of course. Bonus points for mounting it on top of the car.

  6. Re:Efficiency by postbigbang · · Score: 2, Funny

    But the cables or bus bars that connect to your car would create enough EMF to brick your cell phone. Imagine all the coulombs that would have to be dumped from some huge reservior/capacitor into your vehicle to propel that vehicle say, 60 miles. In a second? I don't think so.

    Onboard fission generator? Now we're talking.

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  7. Re:Efficiency by nacturation · · Score: 2, Funny

    But the cables or bus bars that connect to your car would create enough EMF to brick your cell phone.

    If there's that much EMF, I'd be more worried about bricking my testicles.
     

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