Why specialize in hybrids?
“We are living unsustainably,” says Carolyn. “On one hand, we need to drive, but driving is bad for the environment. We need to make wise choices.”
Although the Prius is highly efficient, it is still gas-dependent. Luscious Garage can install a kit from Plug-In Conversions Corporation that gives your Prius a 25-mile electric-only range at up to 70 miles per hour.
“Eighty percent of daily trips are less than 40 miles, so you could end up running on only electricity,” says Carolyn. “If you run out, the car switches over to gasoline and functions just like it did before the conversion,” she adds. A recharge at 110 volts takes about six hours, or two hours at 220.
The $13,500 conversion price may seem expensive, but it can pay off in significantly lower fuel costs, not to mention peace of mind.
“Take a used 2004-2009 Prius—maybe your own—and add the kit,” says Carolyn. “For less than $30,000 you’ll have a car that’s better than the new 2010 Prius.”
She has successfully converted about 30 Priuses to PHEVs so far.
“Priuses are extremely safe and reliable and require little regular maintenance,” says Carolyn.
Hybrid owners tend to be aware of what their cars do and how they impact the environment. They expect and appreciate the kind of personal, informative, environmentally sensitive service they get at Luscious Garage.
“It’s really about being mindful,” says Carolyn. “We see ourselves not as a green business, but as one that’s ‘less brown.’ If all auto shops did what we do it would have a huge impact.”
For more information on converting your own car or a buying a plug-in conversion through group discounts, you can join this email list for electric cars.
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$13,500 is a little steep for the conversion.
$13,500 is a little steep for the conversion.
That’s about what it would cost to have a specialty shop convert your car to fully electric.
Better yet, buy a good car with a blown engine for a couple thousand, convert it to electric yourself and it would probably cost you between $5000 and $10,000 all-said-and-done. Then you would have a highway-capable electric vehicle that could handle 90% of the driving that you do, for pennies per mile. Keep your existing car for the long-range stuff, and you have something better than a hybrid… and for thousands less.
That’s about what it would cost to have a specialty shop convert your car to fully electric.
Better yet, buy a good car with a blown engine for a couple thousand, convert it to electric yourself and it would probably cost you between $5000 and $10,000 all-said-and-done. Then you would have a highway-capable electric vehicle that could handle 90% of the driving that you do, for pennies per mile. Keep your existing car for the long-range stuff, and you have something better than a hybrid… and for thousands less.
“Keep your existing car for the long-range stuff, and you have something better than a hybrid… and for thousands less.”
The insurance, maintenance, licensing and depreciation always negates any fuel savings of owning an additional fuel-efficient car for me. I suspect the same is true for most people.
“Keep your existing car for the long-range stuff, and you have something better than a hybrid… and for thousands less.”
The insurance, maintenance, licensing and depreciation always negates any fuel savings of owning an additional fuel-efficient car for me. I suspect the same is true for most people.
“Keep your existing car for the long-range stuff, and you have something better than a hybrid… and for thousands less.”
The insurance, maintenance, licensing and depreciation always negates any fuel savings of owning an additional fuel-efficient car for me. I suspect the same is true for most people.
Luscious Garage has a very smart business plan and is filling
a niche in the economy.
Luscious Garage has a very smart business plan and is filling
a niche in the economy.
But they use a Mac. That’s surely something we can all get behind, right?
But they use a Mac. That’s surely something we can all get behind, right?
But they use a Mac. That’s surely something we can all get behind, right?
$13500 is not very much to pay to have what you want. To many people, having a hybrid/alt-fuel car is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. To others (myself, included) it’s just cool tech … either way, $13k isn’t too bad.
$13500 is not very much to pay to have what you want. To many people, having a hybrid/alt-fuel car is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. To others (myself, included) it’s just cool tech … either way, $13k isn’t too bad.