Hybrid Technologies, Inc. (HYBR.OB), known for its ability to convert almost any vehicle into an all-electric vehicle (EV), finds itself having to educate a public more attracted to the idea of electric power than ever before. The unpredictable cost of gasoline has created a torrent of interest in electric cars, but many people still have only the sketchiest understanding of what it means to own and operate one. Below are some of the most common questions Hybrid staff has had to answer:
Question: You say plug-in electric vehicles are pollution free, but what about the pollution created at all the power plants needed to generate the electricity?
Answer: Even after counting emissions from electric generating plants, EVs produce 98% fewer pollutants than gas cars. Energy produced under the controlled conditions of a power plant results in less pollution than energy produced in individual gas burning cars, even if the power plant is coal, and many power plants are hydroelectric or nuclear. In addition, EVs are significantly more efficient at converting energy into mechanical power.
Question: Even if I save money at the gas pump, won’t my electric bill go through the roof to pay for recharging my car every night?
Answer: Even with a high-mileage gas powered car, it will still cost you more than using an all-electric car. Some estimates put savings at well over 50%, but individual savings obviously depend upon your local gasoline and electricity costs, and of course the gas vehicle’s mileage. And that doesn’t factor in the lower maintenance costs of an all-electric vehicle. (Lithium batteries, such as those used by Hybrid Technologies, can last the life of the vehicle.)
Question: Why is your company name “Hybrid Technologies” when you produce all-electric vehicles, and not hybrid cars like Toyota.
Answer: A “hybrid” is simply a combination of two things. In the case of Hybrid Technologies, it is the combination of electricity and proprietary battery technology components to produce unique high-performance all-electric vehicles.
Question: How long does it take to charge?
Answer: EVs are usually charged overnight while you sleep, using lower-cost nighttime electricity. A full charge from a 220-volt socket can usually be achieved in 6-8 hours.
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