It's great to be reaching both the Popular Science audience and
Popular Mechanics in their July issues. NOTE: Toyota's time-frame in
this magazine comes from a statement given many weeks before their
more recent announcements, which imply both a greater commitment and
possibly a longer time-frame. In fact, we think they "could" offer
PHEVs in much less than three years.

From the July 26 Popular Mechanics, page 26:
150-MPG Lithium-Ion Hybrids
Photo of an EnergyCS Prius with a yellow extension cord plugged in

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are still novel, but they're
far from experimental -- at least that's the pitch from companies
such as California-based EDrive, which delivered its first PHEV this
spring. EDrive takes a regular hybrid like a Toyota Prius, replaces
the nickel-metal-hydride battery with a higher-capacity lithium-ion
battery, and adds a new power control computer. An overnight charge
fills the Prius's new battery, draining about $1 of electricity from
the grid and allowing you to average 100 mg at 65 mph, and 150 mpg if
you stay under 55 mph. When the battery is depleted, usually after 50
miles or so, the car runs like a standard Prius. EDrive's conversion
will void your warranty, and Toyota says it could offer plug-in
vehicles in "as little as three years." One of the main issues Toyota
is trying to address is the high cost of lithium-ion batteries.
EDrive's aftermarket conversion goes for a whopping $12,000. The
nonprofit group CalCars.org is working with the Electric Auto
Association to develop a do-it-yourself kit for under $5000.

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Felix Kramer fkramer@...
Founder California Cars Initiative
http://www.calcars.org
http://www.calcars.org/news-index.html
http://www.hybridcars.com/blogs/power
http://www.bettah.org
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