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Politics : Rat's Nest - Chronicles of Collapse -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: SG who wrote (5848)	4/28/2007 10:16:21 AM
From: Wharf Rat	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 24213

How to Get a Plug-In Hybrid (Bottom line: you can't get one yet. Though car-makers are finally speaking positively of PHEVs, they are years away from selling them. See How Car-Makers are Responding to the Plug-In Hybrid Opportunity.) CalCars and several aftermarket companies have converted a few dozen cars. For a list of conversions completed to date, see Where PHEVs Are. We don't know when after-market conversion companies will be selling to individual consumers. In response to this situation, CalCars is exploring starting a new company to deliver conversions in volume – subscribe to Calcars-News to hear the latest. We Promote PHEV Conversion Programs: CalCars supports conversion programs as a strategy to increase awareness and support for PHEVs and thereby motivate automakers to build production PHEVs. We believe automakers could sell PHEVs for only $2-$5000 more than current hybrids.Now: When conversions become available, they will be limited to certain vehicle types: all start as hybrids. The most likely conversions are for 2004-2007 Prius (not 2001-2003 Prius) and the Ford Escape Hybrid. Future conversions could include the Toyota Highlander and Lexus RX-400 hybrids. Because of Honda's different architecture, conversion of Insight, Civic or Accord hybrid PHEVs are unlikely. Car companies could decide that conversions void some or part of your car or hybrid system warranty -- unless they worry that will tarnish its green image. We won't know how dealers will respond to service requests until we start driving converted cars. However, there is a legal precedent set by aftermarket modifiers arguing that original auto warranties cannot be voided completely by modifications, and that only the part(s) affected by retrofit will have their warranties voided. Felix Kramer's EnergyCS conversion.EnergyCS -- www.energycs.com EDrive Systems, LLC -- www.edrivesystems.com EnergyCS and EDrive Systems separately aim to have Toyota Prius retrofits available at an installed cost of $10-$12,000. European distribution partner is Amberjac Systems. Hybrids-Plus -- www.hybrids-plus.com Hybrids-Plus of Boulder, CO offers lithium-ion conversions of the Toyota Prius and soon on the Escape. For technical information on the Hybrids-Plus conversion, see the overview page on the Electric Auto Association's PHEV site. Hymotion - www.hymotion.com Hymotion is a Canadian company with a handful of licensed install centers in the U.S. It retrofits the Toyota Prius, Ford Escape Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid, primarily for fleet bulk orders. Advanced Do It Yourself/EAA-PHEV CalCars converted a Prius into a PRIUS+ at the 2006 Maker Faire. This formed the basis for the EAA-PHEV project. CalCars is working with the Electric Auto Association's PHEV group on an open-source project to bring PHEV conversions to '04-07 Prius owners across the country. Our goal is to enable anyone to enlist a local electrician/engineer to convert their car to a PHEV for under $6,000 and two person-weeks of time. If you're an engineer or an advanced do-it-yourselfer who is comfortable around high voltage batteries and automotive workshops, you can follow the project status at www.eaa-phev.org. CalCars Lithium-Ion Project CalCars has launched a program to install Valence batteries in two Priuses and two Ford Escape Hybrids as Phase 1 of a 2-part program to get more conversions on the road quickly. Watch CalCars-News for more developments. CalCars/Electro Energy Project CalCars worked on a project with Electro Energy, Inc. to demonstrate its PRIUS+ approach using nickel-metal hydride batteries, in response to automakers' continuing comments that "the batteries aren't ready." We think both NiMH and Li-Ion are ready. We aim to demonstrate that the battery type that's used in all current hybrids can make a well-performing PHEV. This or related projects could result in our attracting a battery maker to provide batteries to the EAA-PHEV project members for a group price. EPRI-Daimler-Chrysler Plug-In Hybrid Development Program Daimler-Chrysler, working with EPRI and others, is producing a small number of PHEV (15-passenger) Dodge Sprinter vans for fleet testing purposes. If you are interested in this program, please contact the Electric Transportation Department at EPRI. PITCH: If you support our goals, you could support CalCars with a tax-deductible donation in any amount by credit card, check or PayPal. $25 or more gets you a bumper sticker. For $95 you become a CharterSponsor. Gifts in the three figures are highly appreciated. Donations in the four-to-five figures will get you a phone call from CalCars' Founder Felix Kramer or Technology Lead Ron Gremban and, schedules permitting, a ride in a plug-in hybrid. hybridcars.about.com google.com

To: SG who wrote (5848)	4/29/2007 10:18:52 PM
From: sageyrain	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 24213

Tail wagging the dog. This is what the Saudis want Speaking before the International Affairs Council in Dallas, Texas, yesterday, Alnaimi (Saudi Oil Minister) expressed practical and prudent optimism about the future of oil industry, confirming that bright days are awaiting the industry and that the technology industry would provide it with new means to meet the increasing energy needs of the world economy. Giving figures from reliable sources,he showed that none of the alternative energy resources could replace oil or curb the world demand for it in the offing . He spoke about the world's reserves and production abilities as regards gas, solar energy, hydrogen, wind energy, nuclear energy and coal. saudinf.com Saudi portion of world oil exports: