Madison: The Toyota Prius has become the car of choice for the environmentally conscious and fuel cheapskates alike.

Both groups will be happy to hear Smart Motors can now convert certain models of the Prius into an electric car.

"We've only been on board for three weeks and we've already done five conversions," says Allen Foster, General Manager at Smart Motors. "We've got more scheduled to do in the future."

The technicians add an extra battery, which powers the car for about 40 miles. The best part, says Foster, it's still a hybrid. "This here gives you the charge and when you run out you go back to the normal standard hybrid."

Master Technician Terry Johnson says when the electric battery is out, you just hit a button next to the steering wheel.. "If you turn this off now it's just a regular Prius."

Johnson says commuters could see their miles per gallon hit triple digits. "If you drive it like an electric car, very carefully, without getting the gas engine running very much, it will go into the hundreds."

In the case you do run out of juice, Madison Gas and Electric will be installing 6 charging stations around town. "They can go to one of our charging stations, recharge their vehicle while they're shopping or doing something else, and get back home without using the internal combustion engine," says Steve Kraus, spokesman of MG&E.

By Zac Schultz

THE LATEST ELECTRIC CAR NEWS, FROM MOTORING CAN BE GREEN