Plug In Power

Eco conscious citizens have often harped on the value of a hybrid car.

With laid back braggadocio, we are told of fuel savings, lowering carbon emissions, saving the whales and freeing Tibet, all because of a car that runs on both electricity and gas. Okay, okay, maybe the car won’t advocate the release of Shamu, but the Hybrid bumper is typically chock full of political pointers telling unfavorable presidents exactly where to shove it. Hybrid car owners are passionate people, and the car itself is a symbol of their dedication to a safer world with cleaner skies. But what if the hybrid car could perform even better? Paul Guzyk has a way to supercharge your Prius and transform it from responsible gas
sipper to electric Zen master of the road with Boulder Hybrid’s plug-in upgrade.

YS: What is a plug-in upgrade?

PG: A plug-in upgrade means that you can plug your existing hybrid into the wall and charge it from the wall as if it were an electric car, but the car still has the gas engine and a gas tank. So for city driving it’s an electric car, but on longer trips it’s a hybrid. It’s the best of both worlds.

YS: But what’s the difference between a hybrid vehicle and a plug-in car?

PG: A pure plug-in car like a Nissan leaf only has an electric battery—you can only charge it and fuel it by plugging it into the wall. So if the battery is depleted you will be stranded.

YS: So why convert an older hybrid into a plug-in electric?

PG: They use less gas, so the average customer gets close to a hundred miles per gallon on the fuel they burn with a plug-in car versus a regular hybrid Prius that gets closer to 45 miles per gallon.

YS: How does the conversion work for the car?

PG: It’s an add on system, that actually gives the car a bit better performance in that it doesn’t need to use the gas engine if you are taking a short trip around town.

YS: Does the state of Colorado offer any rebates or support for the conversion?

PG: There is a state tax rebate that Colorado residents get about six thousand dollars back from the state if they do the conversion. The conversion costs around twelve thousand dollars before the rebate.

YS: The conversion alters some operational components of the vehicle, does that void the warranty?

PG: There is a law in the United States called the Magnus-Moss warranty act, that unless the problem in the car is directly related to the after market equipment, your dealer cannot deny you warranty coverage.