NC State hopes to launch plug-in hybrid research center

A Prius about to be converted into a plug-in Prius

Hoping to help bring plug-in hybrid vehicles to market sooner, North Carolina State University is hoping to develop a multi-million dollar research center dedicated to plug-in hybrids, especially the battery technology.

"They want to dub these advanced batteries Wolfpack Power Packs and hope to bring costs down from $10,000 to $3,000 for the most advanced batteries of plug-in electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Two regional power companies are pledging support for the project and General Motors is also interested"