From:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2006/02/plugin_hybrid_k.php
via :: http://www.greencarcongress.com/2006/02/hymotion_unveil.html
(go there for lots of comments!)

Plug-In Hybrid Kits from Hymotion

February 21, 2006 - Collin Dunn, Durham, North Carolina

Just one day after President Bush busily touted his new "Advanced Energy
Initiative" with talk of solar-powered homes and plug-in hybrids, Canadian
company Hymotion introduced plug-in hybrid kits (PHEV) for the Toyota Prius
and Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner. This odd coincidence owes itself to the
fact that this week is also the Canadian International AutoShow; if the
President is scouting Canadian car technology to structure his energy
policy, his priorities are even further out of order than we thought...but
we digress. The kits are made up of a lithium-ion battery system that can be
recharged by plugging it into a regular household electrical outlet; when
the car is being driven, the supplemental system is recharged from the
engine and regenerative braking.

If the PHEV battery is depleted, the vehicle resumes normal operation using
the factory-installed battery. The addition of the battery pack does not
change the basic operation of the vehicles -- all electric-operation is
still limited to low speeds -- though it does significantly increase the
power and range in which the battery can help the gas engine along (thus
reducing gas consumption even further). Initially, Hymotion is offering the
PHEV upgrade in two models: the 5kWh L5 for the Prius and the 12kWh L12 for
the Ford hybrid SUVs. This innovation is not cheap, so the company is
targeting fleet buyers before individual consumers. In quantities greater
than 100, the Prius L5 is US $9,500; quantities over 1,000 drop the price to
US $6,500. No word yet on the pricing for the Ford models, but since it's
more than twice as powerful, it will carry an even higher price tag. via
::Green Car Congress

Hymotion
101 Freshway Dr. Unit 12
Concord Ont.
Canada L4K 1R9
519-489-0471
USA 857-991-2439

Sales & Applications sales@ hymotion.com
Engineering Service engineering@ hymotion.com
General Information info@ hymotion.com
Career Opportunities jobs@ hymotion.com
News, Media & Press kit news@ hymotion.com

From:
http://www.hymotion.com/PressRelease022106.pdf

Press Release Business Editors/Science and Technology Writers/Automotive
Writers
Hymotion unveils Plug-in Hybrid Technology at the Canadian
International Autoshow in Toronto

"We, as a green technology company, believe that Plug-in Hybrid is the most
favorable ecological solution for the future in the automotive industry."
President Ricardo
Bazzarella said today.

Toronto, ON. February 21, 2006: This week at one of the premier
international auto shows in the world, Hymotion unveiled its Plug-in Hybrid
Technology.

This groundbreaking technology moves the Hybrid industry into the next
level. The PHEV (Plugin Hybrid Electric Vehicle) will now be even more fuel
efficient and easier to use.

The Hymotion PHEV has an additional battery system that can be recharged by
plugging it into a regular household electrical outlet. This extra battery
system in turn, allow the hybrid car to travel longer distance solely on
battery power, while still allowing it to operate as a normal hybrid car.

Therefore, PHEV is a pure electric and zero-emission car for your local
travel.

What does this mean for the future? A production hybrid gets about double
the fuel economy of a conventional car; A Hymotion Plug-in hybrid will get
again about double the fuel economy of a hybrid. While conventional Hybrid
obtains its energy from gasoline, the Hymotion PHEV acquires most its energy
from the electric grid during off peak hours.

According to the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), half the cars in
the U.S. are driven just 25 miles a day or less. "A plug-in vehicle with
even a 20-mile range could reduce petroleum fuel consumption by about 60
percent," says Bob Graham, Manager of EPRI's Electric Transmission program.

Zero Emissions, when the PHEV drives on battery power alone, it produces
zero emissions, making it very environmentally friendly. Hymotion PHEV
system can go longer on battery power alone, and combusting gasoline inside
the engine became optional.

Anthony Wei, Vice-President Business Development explains: "The secret
ingredient to the 100 plus miles per gallon performance is the Lithium Ion
Polymer technology in our PHEV battery. It's smaller, lighter, and more
powerful than the NiMH batteries currently use in all Hybrid vehicle. This
is the future."

Hymotion is a green technology company with headquarters and research and
development lab in Toronto, Canada. The company also has offices in Boston,
USA, and five subcontractor facilities across North America.

For media contact/press kit/photos:
anthony@ hymotion.com
Tel: 857-991-2439