ZAP Launches Sale of Plug-In Hybrid Electric Car, Tests Show up to 120 Miles per Gallon

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/0372491.htm

ZAP Launches Sale of Plug-In Hybrid Electric Car, Tests Show up to 120 Miles per Gallon

Marketwire
March 10, 2008: 07:00 AM EST

Electric car pioneer ZAP (OTCBB: ZAAP) is now offering plug-in hybrid conversion systems for the Toyota Prius and Ford Escape Hybrid through a collaboration agreement with Hybrids Plus.

Hybrid vehicles retrofitted with systems from Hybrids Plus of Boulder, Colorado can achieve a significantly greater fuel economy. In tests these systems increased hybrid fuel economy up to 120 miles per gallon in the city and up to 90 mpg on the highway. The cost for the conversion ranges from $24,000 to $36,000 depending on the vehicle and size of battery pack.

All gasoline electric hybrids currently produced by major automakers today are essentially gasoline-powered vehicles. They reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency compared to conventional cars, however they are fueled exclusively by gasoline. The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) will allow the owner to charge their vehicle from a normal household wall outlet. By integrating a larger battery pack and a plug-in charging system, it becomes a new vehicle drawing energy from two fuel sources.

Hybrids Plus has sold PHEV systems to private individuals, fleets, power companies, and governmental entities. Deliveries can be provided in approximately four weeks from the initial order.

...

[Captain Angry]

1. Wow. $36,000 and no warranty.

Hopefully this sort of thing gets big enough that they can offer service/warranty down the road.

[phantom power]

2. $36K just for the *conversion*?

Hard for me to believe they're going to sell many of those.

[OKIsItJustMe]

3. Just some food for thought

for those who think GM "Killed the Electric Car."

(It wasn't GM; it was market realities.)