Have you ever done something that was absolutely antithetical to your peer group and then had the nerve to tell them about it? That's what it seems "MRSTEAM" has done over at the Corvette Forum website. The Corvette aficionado and owner let his buds know that he is shelling out some $42,020 to buy himself an all-electric LiV™ WISE, which is a Toyota Yaris that will be converted by Hybrid Technologies. For his money he is expecting a vehicle which will have a top speed of 75+ mph, a range of 120 miles, and batteries that will last 1,500 full cycles. He is not just whistlin' dixie about his intentions either. The Oregon resident has already taken a trip to the North Carolina company for a test drive.

So what did his buds have to say about this? The posts that follow aren't too surprising considering the theme of the website. Although they were polite enough not to voice it directly, it would be fair to say they think he is nuts. Absolutely, positively, out-of-his-mind bonkers. They tell him paying this much for an electric Yaris is economically a bad deal, which, in straight economic terms is probably true. They mention he can rule out picking up any "hot chicks" with it. They encourage him to consider a Tesla roadster or an HST International Mustang electric sports car but since these are even more expensive than the LiV™ WISE, he declined those propositions. Interestingly, no one raises any doubts about the supplier of the converted Toyota, though MRSTEAM himself mentions that the company is $49 million in debt. We haven't heard a word about the after-sale satisfaction of any previous Hybrid Technologies customers, good or bad, so we are hoping "MRSTEAM" continues to post and inform the world of his experiences.

[Source: Corvette Forum]

Hybrid Technologies, in a bid to gain respect and credibility, has announced today that they will lend its LiV™ FLASH (a converted BMW Mini Cooper) to one Mr.Alan Thicke, Emmy and Golden Globe nominee and star of '80s sitcom "Growing Pains". About the deal, the Canadian-born actor is said to have stated, "As a Baby Boomer Consumer, I've been part of the problem so now it's time to be part of the solution. Hybrid Technologies allows me to cut back on emissions and eliminate fuel costs without sacrificing luxury or performance. I've set many examples for my kids - pro and con - but this is definitely one of the better ones. I feel like a smart guy in a smart car!".

In return for the loan, Mr.Thicke will mention Hybrid Technologies "as a way of leaving a positive legacy for our children's future" in his upcoming book, "How To Raise Kids Who Won't Hate You" (due in October, mark your calender). The press release didn't mention whether Mr.Thicke is considering laying out the cash to actually purchase one of their vehicles or whether or not it is powered by the new Superlattice battery. We offer the text of the official press release after the break for your amusement perusal.

Hybrid Technologies, the company which offers the (not very popular) electric Mini Cooper and the all electric L1X-7 sports car, has announced plans to enter the Progressive Automotive X Prize. The vehicle that they will be entering looks to be an extremely sporty vehicle, and would compete in the mainstream category, meaning that it must offer at least four seats. That's two more than the Tesla Roadster, for those keeping count of such things. Two versions of the vehicle are said to be in the works, one extended-range electric-vehicle which would offer 220 miles per gallon to go along with its 150 to 180 mile range and a fully electric version which would sell for a cheaper price. Considering the cost of HT's current vehicles, though, we're not holding our breath for a rock-bottom figure.

We have no real details on what would power either vehicle, though Popular Mechanics' report indicates that HT's Ron Cerven is predicting very wild things from the vehicle. Power levels over that of the incredible new Corvette ZR1 are being thrown around. With talk like that, we'd love to see a real product roll out of the Hybrid Technologies factory, something that is planned to take place this September.


[Source: Popular Mechanics, thanks for the tip, Doug!]

About a month ago Hybrid Technologies sent out press release that they were slashing the price of their electric vehicle conversions. For some time now, they have been offering up MINI Coopers, Chrysler PT Cruisers and even Crossfires among others. The flaw in the plan however was the pricing. There have been questions about actual performance and how many vehicles the company has actually delivered. The one independent test that we are aware was a battery powered Chrysler PT Cruiser the company provided for testing as a New York City Taxi. That one ended badly after only a few months in service when the car was unable to approach the claimed range and it performed poorly in cold weather. Well, some of the staff from Hybrid Technologies were on hand with a few of their vehicles at the New York Auto Show this week and I managed to get answers (sort of) to a few questions. Their MINI conversion is now priced at $57,500 and they have built two prototypes for testing. However, to date none have been ordered by potential customers. As for their latest offering, a converted Toyota Yaris called Liv Wise, priced a slightly more reasonable $39,500, HT claims to have gotten fifteen serious inquiries and they are attempting to firm up the first order. Once an order is confirmed they will deliver a car within four months. So apparently people are looking for actual demonstrated capability at an affordable price when it comes to electric vehicles and conversions of existing cars may not be the way to get there.

[Source: Hybrid Technologies]

Hybrid Technologies all-lithium Mini Cooper is on the cover and on sale through a Sam's Club magazine called Source Guide. The price for the 2008 Model is $65,000 and it's ready for immediate delivery. Recently, we told you about a promotion Sam's Club did with Hybrid Technologies where they sold a single electric Smart car. Seems like that promotion must have been a success if Hybrid Technologies' Mini is now on the cover of the Sam's Club's catalog. Below the fold is a video test drive of the Mini by Popular Mechanics Magazine.

Have an electric Holiday everyone!

[Source: Hybrid Technologies]

It's kind of a joke to say Wal-Mart sells everything. Does Wal-Mart sell electric cars? Well, this Christmas... they do sell electric cars! Sam's Club, a unit of Wal-Mart stores Inc, will sell an electric car in a Christmas promotion November 8 through December 29. The car is the Mercedes-Benz Smart and it's actually on Sam's Club front page right now below a pre-order of Guitar Hero.

For the low, low price of $35,000 you also get lithium-ion batteries from Hybrid Technologies, bringing the car's range to over 100 miles per charge. That bouncy, yellow, happy face is not done with you yet: Along with being the only owner of the Hybrid Technology's Smart, you also get a trip to the Kennedy Space Center! The Sam's Club site says this is a Once-in-a-Lifetime offer "you won't get a second chance at."

[Source: Wall Street Journal (Subscription Required)]

Hybrid Technologies is offering up the six-minute segment on the company's electric vehicles that was broadcast a week and a half ago on the History Channel as part of the Modern Marvels episode "It came from Space" episode.

The clip, which you can watch by clicking the play button above, takes us to HT's Mooresville. North Carolina Plant and get a quick history lesson about lithium battery development at NASA. HT signed a Space Act Agreement with NASA in 2006 for the development of lithium-ion fleet vehicles. The video clip includes a nice view into the company's conversion process and we see HT's lithium Smart Car, lithium PT Cruiser and Assault and Surveillance ATV.

[Source: Hybrid Technologies]

The team at Hybrid Technologies has struck again this time with a motorcycle converted to run on lithium ion batteries. The Stealth, as they call it, is a cruiser style and has a top speed of 50 mph. Performance is apparently comparable to a 500cc bike but with no noise. The bike isn't specifically on Hybrid Technologies' site although it looks similar to their Jin so it probably has a range of 40 miles. Popular Mechanics has a video with HT founder Richard Griffiths showing off and demonstrating the bike.

[Source: Popular Mechanics]

BusinessCar, a website dedicated to helping businesses get the most for their money when they buy or lease vehicles, has hashed out the pros and cons of ten green automotive technologies. After all the calculations, they've decided that hybrids are the current best choice. The editors say they "judged on emissions (that's all of them, and not just tailpipe CO2), fuel economy, tax benefits, availability and long-term viability – and then crowned a winner."

The list was drawn up with the UK (especially the availability of, say, biofuels or pure electric vehicles) and the needs of businesses in mind, so don't assume it can be easily transplanted to other locations. I'm kind of surprised to see hydrogen and fuel cells beating modern petrol at this stage of the game, but if anyone can make use of H2 vehicles right now, it's businesses with fleets in traveling around a centralized fueling station.

You can read all of their reasons in the article itself, but here's the cheat sheet.

10. GTL (Gas to Liquid)
9. LPG
8. CNG
7. Modern petrol
6. Hydrogen engine
5. Fuel cell
4. Biofuels
3. Full electric
2. Modern diesel
1. Hybrid

How would you rank these technologies?

[Source: BusinessCar]

You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.
I saw you face in a crowded place,
And I don't know what to do,
'Cause I'll never be with you.
You're beautiful. You're beautiful.
You're beautiful, it's true.

See... we're cultured here at AutoblogGreen. Alright, maybe not... I copied the lyrics off the web. But, I can say that I have heard that song enough times that I should know the lyrics by now. And now... for something completely different. James Blunt drives an electric car. Not just any electric car, mind you -- a brand new electric Mini from Hybrid Technologies. And, they gave it to him! But, that's OK, I hear that he is pretty green anyway; so maybe he deserved it.

[Source: Ecorazzi]

In February, we brought you news that Hybrid Technologies would be announcing a dealer network at the New York Auto Show this year. Read about all of that here. It seems that Hybrid Technologies showed up at the show right as Benjamin Chertoff from Popular Mechanics was leaving. As any self respecting automotive junkie would do, he talked his way into a test drive. View the video of the event above, and click here for the whole story from their website.

[Source: Popular Mechanics via Autoblog]

We know there has been some skepticism about announcements from Hybrid Technologies, but it seems they've made good on their promise to put a lithium-battery-powered taxi on the streets of New York City. The company just announced that a converted PT Cruiser is now in full service in the Big Apple.

But if you're one of the people who likes to single out HT for bluster in their press releases, the new one does dream big, which you might want to flag for next time: "Hybrid Technologies is fully prepared and capable of retrofitting most of the fleet of taxis in New York." That's quite a statement, what with over 12,000 medallion taxi cabs in New York. Still, HT says that City Hall has requested more taxis and medallion owners like the reduced medallion fees and the possibilities of federal and state emissions initiatives and grants when driving green. It sounds like HT's next step is to build "up to 200 lithium powered long range taxis for fleet placement in New York City." That just leaves 11, 799 or so to go. Good luck to 'em.

Related:

• Electric Smart from Hybrid Technologies on display at SEMA 2006
• Lithium PT Cruiser taxi cabs planned for NYC

[Source: Hybrid Technologies]

Hybrid Technologies, one of the partners behind the Mullen L1X-75 that was announced the other day, will be announcing a network of 75 dealers and distributors during the New York Auto Show in April. The network will include dealers around the world including the United States. The dealers will be offering the full line of Hybrid Technologies products including cars, cycles, and lawn and garden equipment, all powered by lithium batteries. Among other projects, Hybrid Technologies is doing battery conversions on a variety of cars including Smart ForTwo's Chrysler Crossfires and Minis. The press release is available at the Hybrid Technologies site at the Read link.

[Source: Hybrid Technologies]

Hybrid Technologies has decided to buy a little positive press in the form of George Clooney. Mr. Clooney already has one electric car, can't he share? I'd like to drive through Italy in almost anything, how about a Vespa? Oh well, nevermind. The aforementioned trip is set to coincide with Hybrid Technologies' release of their lithium powered SMART car for the European market. The car was recently seen on Regis and Kelly, if you are interested in the video, click here. The car also has been covered on CNN, and if you would like to see that, click here. Lastly, if you just can't seem to get enough Clooney, click here.

Related:

• Tango EVs being danced out the door by George Clooney's good looks

[Source: Hybrid Technologies via Ecorazzi]

For $35,000 you could own an electric Smart. Hybrid Technologies showed off one of its early models at the SEMA Show. I didn't ask if the sky graphics were included. Even in factory colors, I'm sure this little gem will draw attention on the street. Not much in the way of technical information was available, but I have been offered a drive and face time with company engineers soon. The Smart is the second electric conversion offered by Hybrid. The first is a PT Cruiser. The company has a NYC taxi project under way with the PT Cruier to demonstrate the economic benefits of an EV in Manhattan where the average distance on a taxi shift is just over 100 miles. The PT Cruiser has an advertised range of 120 miles. To keep the vehicle in service, the plan is to replace the battery pack with every shift change. As one battery pack works in the vehicle, the other is charged. Both vehicles use a lithium-ion battery pack that weighs just under 500 pounds. The 35-grand price tag includes the vehicle; it's not a retro-fit conversion. The Smart was displayed in the DuPont Registry booth alongside numerous high-dollar vehicles. A company spokesperson said the initial target audience will be "early adapters" of technology and those serious about the environment.

More photos after the break