"There's a plug mounted in the bumper. When I'm on the road and I take the car to a hotel, I drive around the parking lot looking for a Coke machine. When I find one, I park close to it, so I can plug in. Then it takes six to eight hours to charge." Ladies and gentlemen, the plug-in hybrid has arrived (along with warm sodas and pissed-off Coca Cola reps). The San Francisco Chronicle reports that wealthy Prius owners are paying a Bay Area company called Hybrids Plus to convert their gas – nickel hydride-powered sedan into a lithium-ion battery-powered plug-in. The cost, including the car and an optional range extension pack: $60k. Despite concerns about fire safety, the conversion process appears to be legal. California Air Resources Board spokeswoman Karen Caesar: "We are not encouraging people to disassemble their Prii to turn them into plug-ins."
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The fact that people are willing to pay such a premium (with no chance of payback) for this capability is indicative of its usefulness; albeit with a trace of snobbery thrown in (the “100MPG” sticker). Toyota has dropped the ball in this arena, though it’s understandable from a liability viewpoint… I don’t think I can wait for a “plug-in” Prius (and I don’t drive enough miles/yr to justify a “standard” one).
“prii” eh? so would that make it “penii”?
$60K really isn’t that bad considering it is just one company doing the retrofit. Get a couple of companies doing it, a little competition could be good for us all!
Anyone so thoughtful as to unplug the soda machine should be helped out. Another thoughtful hotel guest should unplug the car and replug the machine and coil the extension cord and put it somewhere safe, like on the roof.
ldbricker
the gentleman didn’t say he unplugged the soda machine; He simply said he plugged in. I am assuming that he is using the extra outlet which would not be in use by the soda machine.
How many extension cords in a bottle of MD 20/20?
Someone will spend $60K for a plug-in then steal someone elses electricity. Sounds sooo California.