How do I repair a car battery or electrical system in my automobile?

While hybrid vehicles apply many of the technical advances first developed for battery electric vehicles, they are not considered BEVs. The development and production of hybrid vehicles are, however, improving the cost and performance of batteries, electric motors, chargers, and motor controllers, which will help battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs). As hybrids become more refined, battery life, capacity and energy density will improve and their internal combustion engine will be used less. A non-profit program, the California Cars Initiative, or "CalCars" at the University of California, Davis, has converted hybrid Toyota Prius automobiles to operate as a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) through the installation of additional batteries and software modifications. This vehicle operates as a pure electric for short trips, taking its power from household and workplace rechargers. For longer trips the vehicle operates normally as a hybrid. Prototype conversions using lead-acid batteries are in use today. It is expected that a production conversion would use a more advanced battery. CalCars is currently soliciting donations of additional vehicles and funds for their project.