Plug-In Hybrids Arrive Early
Everything about Alison Gannett is green, from her straw-bale house to her solar-powered appliances. But when you're as serious about curbing carbon as she is, a mere hybrid won't do. That's why she spent $35,000 to install an extension cord on her Ford Escape Hybrid.
She is among a small but vocal -- and growing -- number of people who aren't waiting for automakers to deliver plug-in hybrids. These early adopters are shelling out big money to have already thrifty cars like the Toyota Prius and Ford Escape Hybrid converted into full-on plug-in hybrids capable of triple-digit fuel economy. "I love watching the mileage go up," says Gannett, a world champion extreme skier and dedicated eco-evangelist. "The highest I have gotten is 232 mpg. I average around 80-100 mpg."
Several automakers are scrambling to develop plug-in hybrids, with the Chevrolet Volt and Toyota Prius plug-in expected within two years. But a growing number of start-ups are leap-frogging Detroit and Japan, offering plug-and-play conversion kits you can buy right now. Enterprising mechanics are opening shops to install them, and they're finding plenty of customers sick of waiting for automakers to build truly fuel-efficient cars.
She is among a small but vocal -- and growing -- number of people who aren't waiting for automakers to deliver plug-in hybrids. These early adopters are shelling out big money to have already thrifty cars like the Toyota Prius and Ford Escape Hybrid converted into full-on plug-in hybrids capable of triple-digit fuel economy. "I love watching the mileage go up," says Gannett, a world champion extreme skier and dedicated eco-evangelist. "The highest I have gotten is 232 mpg. I average around 80-100 mpg."
Several automakers are scrambling to develop plug-in hybrids, with the Chevrolet Volt and Toyota Prius plug-in expected within two years. But a growing number of start-ups are leap-frogging Detroit and Japan, offering plug-and-play conversion kits you can buy right now. Enterprising mechanics are opening shops to install them, and they're finding plenty of customers sick of waiting for automakers to build truly fuel-efficient cars.
