Let ZAP convert your Prius into a plug-in hybrid and get 120mpg

Way too much money for the conversion.

— Mate (View Profile)

Posted on 3/11/2008 12:24:49 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

So you can extend your Prius’ range one of two ways:

1) Add batteries that double the price of the car
2) Bring a full 5 gallon gas can with you

— hybridfarce (View Profile)

Posted on 3/11/2008 12:56:22 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Ahh, the cost of saving the planet is never too much. Feels good doesn't it?

— SteedPub (View Profile)

Posted on 3/11/2008 1:20:15 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

lol im guessing this voids your 8 year battery warrantyy?

— LexusKindaGuy12 (View Profile)

Posted on 3/11/2008 4:47:32 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Maybe I'm going blind, but what happens to the gas engine? Is the plug-in in addition to what's already there or is it in place of the gas engine? I've read the press release twice and can't seem to find this info.
("What a drag it is getting old".)

— Bored (View Profile)

Posted on 3/11/2008 8:35:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Bothersome....

The cells necessary to build that pack go for about $2500-3500 dollars. They must not plan on doing many conversions.

— GreenPlease (View Profile)

Posted on 3/13/2008 6:17:19 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Stories like thse prey on the ignorant -- Those folks who see "120 MPG" and believe what they see (like the 100 MPG carburetor). The deception starts like this: Add an addtional source of enery into the equasion, in this case electricity, which you ignore when you come up with your MPG numbers.

If you want to find out what the real MPG rating is, you must start with *dead* batteries (the ones that provide the drive power to the electric motors).

Another "preying on the ignorant" angle is to ignore the total polution output, which includes the polution created from *ALL* sources to (a) build the vehicle, (b) operate the vehicle, (c) maintain/"renew" the vehicle, and (d) dispose of the vehicle. With respect to plug-in cars, we are ignoring the source of that "free" electricity, and the high polution output for creating the batteries and "renewing" them every few years.

Another example is ethanol, which burns cleaner than gasoline, but when all factors are included (e.g., growing of the plant products, deforrestation, manufacturing of the fuel), the total greenhouse gas output is higher with ethanol than with gasoline alone.

This is not to say that we should not explore alternative fuels and energy sources, but it does illustrate how something that is sold as being a magic bullet, isn't even close. You don't understand the whole story if all you are told, and all you read is the last page of the book.

— Steve (View Profile)

Posted on 3/14/2008 10:15:57 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1