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Plug-In Hybrids Aren't Coming, They're Here
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."
Through simple driving tweaks, many of these vehicles could make much better gas milage without costing a dime. And then if you NEEDED to spend money, there are much cheaper ways, up to and including whole engine swaps that are still cheaper and as efficiant or BETTER than converting to "hybrid." I just dont get the alure of hybrid, while its nice to be as free of gas as possible, responsible driving will go a lot further than a half battery power car ever would.
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Can we start calling them changing points please?
Everyone understands the problems associated with high voltage wiring as a replacement for gasoline.
The problems associated with exchanging batteries are the social problems we should be dealing with.
With proper regulation (American: "Oh shit a socialist!") exchanging batteries could be done in seconds. It could be fair, cheap, reduce points of failure and if you could still purchase batteries and recharge them from outlets increase the freedom of the user.
This entire article is a cynical negative spin on a positive development.
$5000 to hybridize a vehicle isn't a bad price, hybrid sedans have a similar premium and are successful, it seems likely there are areas where hybridizing engines makes sense and this development allows the marketplace to find those areas.
We know we're not going to Easter Island ourselves on gasoline, we've got nuclear. IMHOH we should strech the glory days of cheap powerful fuel as long as makes sense, hybrids are an efficient way of doing that.