xcel
11-18-2007, 09:45 AM
Less than 100 Prius PHEV conversion’s are currently driving US roads. (http://www.charleston.net/news/2007/nov/17/coalition_touts_benefits_hybrid_car22488/)
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Nilar_NiMH_based_PHEV_conversion_-_News.jpgJim Parker - The Post and Courier – Nov. 17, 2007
Unfortunately, until conversion costs come down dramatically, the PHEV will be nothing more than a curiosity :( -- Ed.
The job of a medical industry professional can include many miles on the road, and James Poch grew tired of rising gas expenses as well as the ecological costs of burning fossil fuels. He researched alternatives, most notably plug-in hybrid technology.
Over time, Poch, who lives in Berkeley County near Daniel Island, went one step further. Today he is executive director of the Plug-in Hybrid Coalition of the Carolinas, a regional group that promotes development of gas-electric vehicles that get much of their power from special batteries recharged via electrical sources.
For the past few months, Poch has driven a Toyota Prius that's been retrofitted at a cost of $40,000-$50,000 with a battery six times larger than the typical hybrid power grid and with electrical sockets capable of handling a heavy-duty electrical cord. Coalition members claim his car and another Prius in possession of sponsor S.C. Electric & Gas can exceed 100 mpg when used at maximum benefit of the electrical components.
The coalition has drawn interest not only from power companies SCE&G, Duke Energy and Progress Energy, but the city of Charleston and Mayor Joe Riley, who spoke in favor of plug-in cars at a press conference Nov. 5 at Brittlebank Park… http://www.charleston.net/news/2007/nov/17/coalition_touts_benefits_hybrid_car22488/
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Nilar_NiMH_based_PHEV_conversion_-_News.jpgJim Parker - The Post and Courier – Nov. 17, 2007
Unfortunately, until conversion costs come down dramatically, the PHEV will be nothing more than a curiosity :( -- Ed.
The job of a medical industry professional can include many miles on the road, and James Poch grew tired of rising gas expenses as well as the ecological costs of burning fossil fuels. He researched alternatives, most notably plug-in hybrid technology.
Over time, Poch, who lives in Berkeley County near Daniel Island, went one step further. Today he is executive director of the Plug-in Hybrid Coalition of the Carolinas, a regional group that promotes development of gas-electric vehicles that get much of their power from special batteries recharged via electrical sources.
For the past few months, Poch has driven a Toyota Prius that's been retrofitted at a cost of $40,000-$50,000 with a battery six times larger than the typical hybrid power grid and with electrical sockets capable of handling a heavy-duty electrical cord. Coalition members claim his car and another Prius in possession of sponsor S.C. Electric & Gas can exceed 100 mpg when used at maximum benefit of the electrical components.
The coalition has drawn interest not only from power companies SCE&G, Duke Energy and Progress Energy, but the city of Charleston and Mayor Joe Riley, who spoke in favor of plug-in cars at a press conference Nov. 5 at Brittlebank Park… http://www.charleston.net/news/2007/nov/17/coalition_touts_benefits_hybrid_car22488/