Businessweek online Reports: 3/4

Hybrid plug-in kit released WOOHOO!

Hymotion unveiled a PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) Technology at the Canadian International Autoshow in Toronto earlier this week. Logically, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles are more fossil-fuel-efficient than existing hybrids as they can be recharged by plugging into a regular household electrical outlet and can hence travel for a greater percentage of each journey on solely electrical power.

The Hymotion PHEV has an additional battery system that extends the car's battery storage capacity, while still allowing it to operate as a normal hybrid car. In effect, if a PHEV is only used within the limits of its electrical storage capacity, it offers a pure electric and zero-emission car. According to the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), half the cars in the U.S. are driven just 25 miles a day or less so a plug-in vehicle with even a 20-mile range could reduce petroleum fuel consumption by about 60 percent. While conventional hybrids obtain most of their energy from gasoline, the Hymotion (and any other) PHEV acquires most its energy from the electric grid during off peak hours.

Initially, the Hymotion PHEV kit will cost US$9500 for a Ford Escape or Toyota Prius, and will be sold only to Government and fleet owners but with volume production driving pricing down, a target price of US$5000 is expected by the time the kit becomes available to the public 12 months from now. The advantages of PHEV include better fuel economy, fewer visits to gas station, lower fuel costs, less pollution and longer range in all-electric mode -- the solution for spiking gas prices, CO2 emissions and dependence on imported oil. Hymotion currently has systems available for Toyota Prius, Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid with systems under development for Lexus RX400h, Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid.

 This is some exciting news if you ask me. I think this will be a great thing for both the planet AND people's pocket! The initial cost might be a bit much but for those of us who like those kinds of upgrades and what-not it will rock!

Brandon Langston
GRLT.com
"Tech with a twist of lime!"

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