When it comes to fuel efficient cars it seems there are shades of green – because it is possible to make a green car even greener.
In fact, that is the task that HybridsPlus in Boulder, Colorado is determined to fulfil – meaning that environmentally conscious customers with deep pockets can actually convert their hybrid cars into plug-in hybrids that run with electricity as a primary fuel.
The company concentrates on converting Ford Escape Hybrids and according to its chief operating officer Ammon Balaster, it can double its mileage from around 32mpg to 64mpg.
According to Balaster, the process starts with a lithium-ion cell – 160 of these are welded together and connected by wires to form battery packs with 10 packs used in the HybridsPlus system. When the process is complete, the packs hold 15 times more electrical storage capacity than the original nickel metal hydride battery that was originally in the car even though the original electric motor is still retained.
The advantage of course is that not only is the electricity cheaper but it also creates zero emissions.
One stumbling block in the process however, is the price tag – it costs around $30,000 to convert a Ford Escape Hybrid into a plug-in hybrid car.
Nevertheless, business for the company, which employs 20 people, is good. The company is hoping to create around 100 new plug-in vehicles during 2009.
