After I get my PHEV kit installed, I'd like to put something on the car to tell the rest of the world that it is a PHEV. I think it people see it going down the road, or in parking lots, it will help others to realize such a thing is possible and perhaps look into modding their own hybrid. But I don't want it to just say "PHEV" because 99.9% of the drivers (even hybrid drivers) have no idea what that means. So I'm trying to figure out a better wording that will be simple, to the point, but also make it clear what is special about the car. I could use regular vinyl lettering that you stick on yourself, I did that on my last EV. But it looks very plain. I'd like to go to somebody who does custom graphics on a car and tell them what I want. But first I need some ideas. Any suggestions?
Here you go! My design.. I used blue for the center of the plugs to match factory emblems.... Feel free to copy if you like. I liked the PHEV because it looked simple..
I do like those decals. How did you make them? However, they still don't really tell the average joe on the road what it is that is unique about your car. Of course, short of writing an entire paragraph on the side of the car, I'm not sure there is a way.
You could just leave a cord dangling from a plug that sparks as it drags along the ground--as an added bonus it helps keep tailgaters away, but on the other hand that might reduce mileage . In all seriousness, I think lots of people understand what a plugin hybrid is in concept now (though I guess this depends on where you live...) since there now OEMs involved. People may still be confused by the acronym "PHEV", but I think as a whole people are becoming much more educated as to what a plugin vehicle is. What I don't think people yet understand is how available / practical they are for every day uses (you wouldn't believe how many times I get the question "So who calls the tow truck you when you run out of battery power?"). Sure, they may not be cost effective at this point--but neither are luxury cars or SUVs. At least our cars make a positive difference. One other quasi-related thing: I've begun to find that many people now erroneously think that all Priuses / hybrids are electric vehicles and are surprised when I tell them that the plug costs extra. I'm not really sure how to put that in a bumper sticker or if that otherwise helps you at all, just thought I'd share my 2 cents. Perhaps you should make your bumper sticker a flow-chart of exactly what happens at the various stages of driving (Another joke, please don't actually do this...). Andrew
How about oversize graphics of the various electrical parts? Like a giant plug, some batteries, and an electric motor. It'd be *really* cool if you could make them light up when they're in use, with changing arrows to show the current flow, like an mfd on the outside. Hey, you said you wanted ideas.....
In my experience, most folks are oblivious/ignorant/misinformed about hybrids. Strangely, a plug-in hybrid will bring their confused/false misunderstandings more into line with reality. It comes down to saying the most significant things quickly and clearly. Something quietly factual. Emphatic, but not up in everyone's face. On a clear sticker, maybe in red, maybe reflective silver or white. Something like: PLUG-IN HYBRID -- ~XXX MPG -- Gas + Elec = $0.03/mi. You? -- I'm thinking of something roughly bumper sticker size. To put inside, on the vertical rear hatch glass -- it's best not to risk messing up the painted plastic fender cover when you take it off. Then again, I think it would be cool to do something representative of an unstopable change in sea state for the family car. A full car graphic of the Great Wave: The wave would reach up and across the rear windows and somehow be wrapped around the rear hatch. Mount Fuji and the boat to the right would be cropped out but that wave would rise over the front wheel well and wrap around the front bumper and hood. On what color car? I wish I could do the idea justice with a Photo Shopped image.
I designed my Plugs-In bumper-sticker: http://smilingdogsranch.com/priusblog/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/DSC_00112.jpg
