We've just finished watching Who Killed the Electric Car and been doing some research on Plug In Priuses. It looks like it CAN be done, but how?? Has anyone done it? How much would it set me back? Does anyone have any info on plug in prius conversions??
pollocks - Great movie! - Really eye opening. There's so much information on plug-in Prius conversions on this site (and elsewhere) that it's hard to know where to start to point you. If you do a general search on "plug-in hybrid" you'll find all sorts of good information. One thing though - you'll definitely want to get yourself a copy of the book "Plug-In Hybrids: The Cars that will Recharge America" http://www.sherryboschert.com/ I'm about 80% of the way through it right now. It's a very thorough collection of facts, statistics, and a "who's who" of the history leading up to the current push for PHEV's. Much of it will be familiar after seeing the movie, but it expands on it, and provides more depth into the PHEV side of things. In terms of more specific information on converting the Prius, a good place to start would probably be http://www.calcars.org/ Somewhere online I ran across a really good table that compared cost and technical specifications of PHEV conversions available from CalCars, Hymotion, and others. I have it bookmarked on my computer at home. I'll update this post later with the link, unless someone else can beat me to it. In the meantime, you might want to check out the LIPOG (Long Island Prius Owners Group) website http://mysite.verizon.net/vzep1vkh/lipog/id18.html to check out the details of Horacio's ("mrbigh" here on priuschat) PHEV Prius conversion. He did it himself! Happy hunting!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pollocks @ Dec 30 2006, 02:20 AM) [snapback]368543[/snapback]</div> Here's the link I was referring to in my previous post above, with the comparison table w/ cost of conversions - http://www.eaa-phev.org/wiki/Plug-In_Hybrids
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pollocks @ Dec 30 2006, 01:20 AM) [snapback]368543[/snapback]</div> pollocks, take a look at this site.. calcars plug in Hybrids They may not sell the actual equipment but, you can surely contact them and they should be able to point you in the right direction..
Hi. New to this forum. I have been an EV-wannabe for a while, but my ICEd car died this week, and I am thinking of buying a used prius and eventually upgrading to Plug in. I thought I would ask in this forum first - Is there any difference in years? There is a 2003 for sale about a 5 minute trip from my house. Is that too old? or the perfect age? At least one of the upgrades involves new batteries, so I was thinking I could buy something in particular that needs new batteries., Will there be a lot of modern features missing? (I don't see Blue tooth, which my friend's 2007 has) http://www.njstateauto.com/preowned/index....amp;model=Prius Thanks Seth "I can See caucus from here"
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(pachai @ Nov 29 2007, 08:56 AM) [snapback]545699[/snapback]</div> 2003 is the last year of the last generation Prius. 2004 is the new hatchback model. It has a less powerful battery (in terms of voltage) but power is up and there's space in the hatch for an extra battery without compromising cargo carrying capabilities. In the trunk of an 03, you will eat up into the useable trunk space. Yeah the 03 won't have bluetooth, SKS, backup camera, VSC, BA, HIDs, LED brakelights etc etc.
As Tideland Prius said, an '03 is not the right year car to "future" convert it to PHEV, plus lacks the amenities of years 2004 and above. For few more $$ go for a higher year model.
Great questions. I have been activly trying to get this option put on my 2005 Prius, only a 2004-2007 can be modified. The cost is a little high at this time but in 2008 it will be in the traget 10,000 range. I'd do that anytime. Right now hybrids-plus.com in Colorado will convert your Prius but at the early adopter cost of 24K for a small pack or $36K for the 60 mile range 100 mpg option for A123 lithium batteries. A very cost effective system from hybridconversions, http://www.pluginconversions.com/news.html with NiMH batteries will be about $8K in January 2008. Thery are in the San Diego area. A few other companies are also doing conversions like energyCS.com , a company in Phoenix is testing one of them this year, they are etec and they also have a Renault Kangoo EV-ICE that can go 80 miles on electric with a small gas motor if need. Too bad they won't allow Renault to sell it here, it's only on temporary vehicle loan right now. I'd also like to get the parts and do the conversion myself. So far no DIY kits are available yet. 2008 should be the banner year. A123 and hymotion have joined up and promise mass produced 1 hour install conversion for about $10K in 2008. What month we don't know. 100-200 mpg would be worth every penny to me.
