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July 15, 2008 (MINNEAPOLIS) – Mayor R.T. Rybak, auto dealer Denny Hecker, and State Representative Frank Hornstein today announced a new effort they hope will encourage people to convert their hybrid cars into plug-in electric hybrid cars that can run on batteries. New technology now available will make it easier for Minnesotans to substantially increase their car’s fuel efficiency, and a new state grant program will make that technology much more affordable.

“At a time of skyrocketing gas prices and global warming, we must change the way we think about our cars,” Mayor Rybak said. “For years we’ve been hearing about promising technology and concept cars on the horizon, but the technology for greener cars exists right now.”

New Technology Comes to Minnesota for the First Time

A newly developed battery pack, called a Hymotion Plug-In Conversion Module (PCM), enables certain hybrid cars to run up to 40 miles of electrically assisted driving, achieving as much as 100 mpg fuel economy. After 40 miles, the vehicle functions as a standard gas-electric hybrid until the car is recharged via a standard electrical outlet.

Previously, the PCM technology was only available in Ontario, Canada, but as a result of Mayor Rybak’s partnership with Denny Hecker, it is now coming to Minnesota. The first car in line to get this new technology installed today was Mayor Rybak’s official city car.

Mayor Rybak has been driving a plug-in car since October 2007, but starting today will be driving the upgraded PCM technology now available in Minnesota with Denny Hecker auto. Mayor Rybak is believed to be the first mayor of a major American city to drive a plug-in as his official city car and Minneapolis is one of only a handful of metro areas where the PCM installation is available.

This partnership between Mayor Rybak and Denny Hecker to bring green car technology to Minnesota was forged out of Mayor Rybak’s commitment to bring “Green Collar Jobs” to the Minneapolis metro area and especially north Minneapolis. Denny Hecker has agreed to work with Mayor Rybak to ensure that future PCM conversion centers will be located in north Minneapolis.

“The solutions exist for us to make a real impact on global climate change,” Mayor Rybak said. “Using technology to protect the environment is not only the right thing to do; it’s the smart thing to do because it creates jobs and business opportunities for our community, in our community. It only takes willpower from government and business leaders to make it happen. That willpower exists here and we intend to tap into it.”

“Installation of PCM’s is a natural extension for the Hecker Companies’ broader green initiatives, which includes the announcement made this past March to make Advantage Rent A Car the first major rental car company committed to going 100% green with fuel efficient vehicles by the end of 2010”, said Denny Hecker, Chairman of the Denny Hecker Family Ventures.

State Grants Support Electric Car Technology

While the cost of converting a hybrid car into a plug-in electric car is nearly $10,000, a new state grant program is on its way to help reduce the cost of plug-in conversions. This grant program will be the first of its kind in the nation open to any resident.

“In Minnesota, the era of the plug-in electric car is here,” said Rep. Frank Hornstein, who co-authored legislation creating the state grant program. “Minnesotans who want to try this technology will be able to apply for a grant that will help reduce the direct plug-in conversions costs by 30%. With this grant program, we hope more people will take seriously the need to change how we get around in our cars.”

More information about Mayor Rybak and Denny Hecker’s plug-in car initiative is available at www.tcgreeninitiative.com .

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