We displayed the Ford F150 that we’ve converted to a prototype plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), and fielded a variety of questions from interested students and guests of Connect, sponsor of the event.

Also on hand were ISE Corporation with their hybrid-electric bus, SDG&E with a plug in conversion of a Toyota Prius, an electric motorcycle from Vectrix, a Prius powered by Ni-Zn batteries from Power Genix, and other green technologies.

Many were curious about the performance of Ford F150 vehicle. In a nutshell, the GRRReen conversion prototype:

• Goes from 0 to 40 mph on electric power (and then the gasoline engine takes over)
• Is currently powered by a lead-acid battery pack (with a lithium-ion battery pack in development)
• Has a range of about 40 miles
• Is not available yet, but will be offered to fleets later this year

Following the expo, attendees heard John Addison, author of Save Gas, Save the Planet, discuss recent advances in hybrid automotive technology, biofuels and other fields related to greener driving.

Special thanks to Camille Sobrian and Taylor Peterson of Connect for hosting an informative event focused on bringing more attention to emerging green automotive technologies.

There’s certainly a lot of activity on the green automotive front — and GRRReen is right in the middle of it! We’ll have the Ford F150 we converted to a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) on display at  the Ride Clean Car Expo near Price Center at UC San Diego on Tuesday, April 14 from 3 to 6 p.m.

Sponsored by UCSD CONNECT, the event will feature a talk by John Addison, author of Save Gas, Save the Planet, who will cut through the myths about today’s technology, and discuss business opportunities for future innovation in the auto industry and  the race for clean fuels.

Also on display will be:

* Lexus Vectrix – the only freeway-legal electric two-wheel vehicle
* Reaction Design for Energico – virtual experimentation of low emission design alternatives
* Power Genix’s NEV, powered by the latest nickel-zinc batteries
* ZuumCraft’s very light electric vehicle Zuummer
* Spectrum Aeronautical’s ultra light, low emission aircraft
* SDG&E’s CNG car and plug-in hybrid vehicle
* ISE Corporation Hybrid-Electric Bus

It will be a great opportunity to see what’s happening in green motoring, and meet local entrepreneurs who are making it happen.

Stop by and see us!

We were there as the sponsor of the Green Stage, which hosted 16 diverse musical acts during the day-long festival, from the West African drummers of Tam Tam Mandingue to the heavy metal madness of (Sic)Monic, and other acts including punk, Latin, country, acoustic, and urban R&B artists.

We debuted our new GRRReen brand, showing off our converted F150, and supporting this event’s commitment to independent thought and sustainable practices.

Scores of people dropped by to see our bench unit, which demonstrates the engineering behind our plug-in hybrid conversion kit; and to talk about how plug-in hybrids can help reduce our reliance on foreign oil, decrease carbon emissions, and save money.

Click through to see more photos from the event.

Crowd favorite Saucy Monkey

Our bench unit demonstrates the engineering behind the GRRReen plug-in hybrid conversion kit.

The Ford F150 we converted to a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

The GRRReen booth, at University and 29th in San Diego's North Park.

Stop by and see us in The Green Scene area — we’ll be sharing space with our friends at Sequoia Solar, and showing off the Toyota Tundra  that we recently converted to a plug-in hybrid for them.

There will be food samples and displays by up to 200 local businesses — it’s going to be a great networking event, as well as an opportunity to see the latest in environmentally friendly products and services from North County companies.

We hope to see you there!

Kevin Konczal, (left) COO of Plug In Hybrid, Inc., and Andy Frank, Ph.D., (right) co-inventor of the Plug In Hybrid solution discuss some of the benefits of plug in hybrid vehicles after the Inauguration West Parade, sponsored by Plug in America in Santa Monica on Jan. 17.

We’ll be driving a converted Ford F150 hybrid truck in the Inauguration Parade West in Santa Monica this Saturday. On board will be Andy Frank, Ph.D., co-inventor of the Plug In Hybrid, Inc. solution, and other members of the Plug In Hybrid team.

The parade was organized by Plug In America and begins at 9 a.m. at the Santa Monica Civic Center. With more than 70 plug-in vehicles, it’s being billed as the largest parade of its kind ever. For more information (including a downloadable flyer and posters) see Plug in America’s Web site.

The event is intended to send a message to Congress and Detroit: America wants plug-in vehicles, the most fuel-efficient cars ever made.

With Congress working on a stimulus package that could throw billions to vehicle and transportation infrastructure, many are anxious to see a real commitment to alternative technologies, including plug-in hybrids.  This event will be a great way to demonstrate support for greener transportation.

We’ll see you there!

We are Plug In Hybrid, Inc. That’s our name today, and it’s not bad. Totally descriptive, and like Xerox and Kleenex, it gives us ownership of the space, in a way. But we’re thinking big, and we want to find a name that matches our vision.

Cast your vote now — or read on below to learn more about the company.

[poll id="3"]

More about the company you’re helping us name

We have developed a solution that enables us to convert existing trucks, vans and SUVs into more fuel-efficient hybrid-electric vehicles. That means you’ll still be able to tool around in your Escalade, while leaving the same carbon footprint as a Prius driver. Seriously.

Some more important facts about our company: We have a patent-pending technology solution, created in conjunction with Andy Frank, Ph.D. of UC Davis (a pioneer in the development of technology now used in the Toyota Prius and other hybrids) that incorporates:

• An electric motor attached to the differential
• The driver’s choice of a battery pack that meets specific driving needs
• The software controller that allows the gas engine, the electric motor and the battery pack to work together in a seamless manner, requiring no input from the driver

This solution is simple, practical and affordable, and appropriate for fleets and individual motorists. It will:

• Save money for people by allowing them to spend less on fuel.
• Help save the environment by reducing greenhouse gases.
• And enhance our national security by lessening our reliance on foreign oil.

And it’s just about ready to go. We will be driving two prototypes in Plug in America’s Inaugural Parade in Santa Monica on Jan. 17.

We are eager to bring our solution to market, and we will publish pricing and availability information as soon as it’s available.

Meanwhile, we want your help in finding a creative name that matches the exciting potential of the product. The way we see it, we are in partnership with you in creating a more energy-efficient method of personal transportation that empowers all of us live in a more sustainable way.

Please vote for your favorite in the list below, or you can leave your suggestions in the comments field below.

Let us know if you have questions, and tell your friends. Thank you!

The 40,000-square foot Eco Center area had all the new hybrids, including some cartoonish-looking concept cars, as well as production models from several carmakers on display, and a half-dozen or so conversions – gas-powered production cars that tinkerers and garage mechanics have turned into hybrids or all-electrics.

In fact, everywhere throughout the Convention Center there was a much greater emphasis on ‘eco-motoring.’  Among the representatives we talked to, all seemed to have a canned response for a question they must be hearing often; “Do you guys have a hybrid in the works?”

• Mercedes-Benz: Will have an M Class hybrid in 2010
• Suzuki: No need to go hybrid, as their cars, specifically the Splash, which is huge in Europe, gets 45 miles per gallon
• Scion: No hybrids, their cars get good gas mileage already, and they are committed to keeping the sticker price below $20,000
• Hyundai: They will have a hybrid version of the Sonata in 2010, using what their rep called lithium polymer battery technology
• Volkswagen: No hybrids, they’re going with diesel
• Volvo: Hybrids on the way, check back in a year

The real question: Given the uncertain economic climate, how many average working people will be plunking down $20,000 to $30,000 and up for new cars over the next year – hybrid or not?

And the other great unknown: Where will the price of gas be by the end of 2009?

Hybrids can save fuel costs and the environment, and increase our national security.

Suppose there was a cheaper way to get behind the wheel of a hybrid?

Just suppose there was a way to convert your existing vehicle into a functional hybrid, at a fraction of the cost of a brand new one?

Would you go for it?

Let us know in the comments!