You have all heard the expression “Pimp My Ride,” but how about “Hack My Hybrid”?
Apparently some folks out there are as good with computers as they are with wrenches, and they have come up with some ways to make hybrids get close to 100 miles per gallon.
The trick is that they convert the hybrids into “plug-ins” by adding larger battery packs and using AC current to charge them up rather than engine and brake energy, as is done now.
One of the biggest advocates and technology drivers in thisfield is the California Cars Initiative, which is made up of engineers, environmentalists and others who see these plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) as a huge step forward. And it?s hard to argue with their logic.
They have modified a number of hybrid and nonhybrid vehicles and are seeing fuel economy soar.
The advantage is that the electric engine runs more of the propulsion than current hybrids do.
That?s because there is more battery power. Still, this isn?t a totally new or radical concept. The military showcased a PHEV diesel-hybrid back in 2003 that could be ready for production in 2008. They liked it because the vehicle gives off no heat signatures that can be detected by the enemy; Mitsubishi has a PHEV concept car, the Concept-CT1 MIEV2.
DaimlerChrysler is converting some of its 15-passenger Mercedes commercial vans in Germany to the technology.
It may still be a while before you can walk into a showroom and buy one off the floor, but things are moving in that direction. Imagine being able to drive to Ocean City and back on just 3 gallons of gas.
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