Hybrid Technologies delivers LiVTM WISE, Corvette guy loves it
Last July we told you the story of a Corvette owner named Ray, who had decided to fork over $40,000 to Hybrid Technologies for an all-electric LiV™ WISE. That's the model in their range that begins its gas-powered life as a Toyota Yaris. He said he would keep us up to speed, and true to his word, he has been leaving the occasional update in the comments of the original story. Yesterday he wrote to let us know that he's been driving his WISE for about a week now and he is very happy about it.
According to Ray, the car is lots of fun to drive and has plenty of power. It appears to have pretty good range as well. He took a trip from Aloha to Otis (Google maps says that's 76.4 miles) that involved some mountains and arrived with a gauge showing 30 miles still available. He says he has yet to hypermile it because it's too much fun to stand on the go pedal. (Hey, he's a Corvette guy) So, while we have given Hybrid Technologies a hard time over certain issues, in this case they seem to have come through. Hit the jump to read about the Covette guy's LiV™ WISE experience in his own words.
[Source: Ray]
Ray's Latest Update
I have had the Yaris for a week. It will go 70 miles on the hwy at 55 mph or better. Then I went another 25 miles in the city on the same charge. The computer was beebing at me for a while but I think it is ok now.
The car is a lot of fun. It has plenty of power. Gas cars have to work realy hard to over take me from a red light. I have not yet done any hypermiling driving with it yet. I like to stand on the pedal, it is just too much fun. I am sure the car will do a 130 miles in the city. The build seems great I think it is everything Hybridtechnologies advertised and more. It has a lot more pick up than the one I test drove. It is a great car and I just can't stay out of it. I drove it in the snow and I think you can control it better than the gas version when starting out on slippery surfaces.
It is so much fun. A friend and I went from Aloha, OR
to Otis, OR. The car did great. We had to go up a mile of gravel drive way in Otis in that mile we went up in elevation 700 ft. Comming back we went over Shahalis mountain out of Newberg. The car still read 30 mile range when we arrived at my friends house in Aloha. So much fun going down the road burning electricity. Whee, it was worth the wait and the cost as far as I am concerned.
Ray.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
MemphisNET 11:34AM (1/29/2009)
40,000$ is a tough pill to swallow. Does that incl. the cost of the Yaris ?
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Domenick Yoney 11:38AM (1/29/2009)
Yes.
Dave 12:45PM (1/29/2009)
Glad to hear SOMEONE is on the road testing these things. $40,000? Wonder if the tax rebates apply. And if these last a while, perhaps HT will be around and able to drop prices.
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paulwesterberg 12:52PM (1/29/2009)
Toyota should buy the company and start rolling these off the line. I bet they could get the price down to 25k.
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Chris M 6:03PM (1/29/2009)
Toyota wouldn't have to buy them, they could make a simple joint venture with Toyota providing the chassis and Hybrid Technology providing the drivetrain and batteries. Assembly could be at a Toyota facility or at a Hybrid Technology facility.
Joe Bonaparte 8:11PM (1/29/2009)
130 mile range and 6 hours to recharge? $40K? I am not at all impressed. If I had a 40K budget to do an electric conversion, I think i could do better.
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Mike!!ekiM 9:06PM (1/29/2009)
Just want to say "Thanks". It's you early adaptors who will drive the cost down for me to be able to afford one of these. Thanks Again.
Oh, I bet you're making a Terrorist very nervous. The unforeseen consequences of attacking us, this could be the start of the End-of-Oil.
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Tim 11:20AM (1/30/2009)
I have driven several of Hybrids cars and they have indeed gotten a bad rap from some of the so called EV supporters. They have a great product and even though they lose money on their cars they are committed to the EV auto industry and should be commended. They are at least trying more than one vehicle platform. I've drove their Mini which has been around since 2004 and it is far superior to the AC Prop version. Prices will come down as sales increase and economies of scale reduce component costs.
sam 2:09PM (1/30/2009)
I received an interview call from hybrid technologies. I was checking the background of company and searched for "hybrid technologies + scam" . It was a disaster for me to see that this company has so many complaints against them. I decided not to pursue my interest. But I went there and saw what they are doing. But guys, I believe they are here for real. Best luck Hybrid technolgies.
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