Hymotion is calling these Battery Range Extender Modules or BREMs, and it is good to know they are getting EPA and NTHSA approval. So much for two of Toyota's stated concerns. Quote: Thank you for your interest in Hymotion and our Battery Range Extender Modules (BREMs) for converting Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) into Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs). When are the Hymotion PHEV Battery Range Extender Modules (BREMs) going to be available? The Hymotion BREMs are currently available only for qualified commercial fleets while we undergo NTHSA and EPA certification. [attachmentid=9652]
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoMoShocks @ Jul 12 2007, 02:16 PM) [snapback]477726[/snapback]</div> Any idea when the battery pack will get NHTSA and EPA certification? Cost? Also, where does the battery pack fit in the car? Spare wheel/tire well? Or???? Hymotion may have the must-have mod for the Prius for 2007 if they can get certification completed and production ramped up in time for Christmas.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(apriusfan @ Jul 12 2007, 07:57 PM) [snapback]477896[/snapback]</div> They won't quote a price until early 2008. I am hoping it will be around $5900 ($2400 after $3500 Federal tax rebate). Well I can dream, can't I? It looks like, from the picture on brochure, that it will fill the space for the spare tire and under floor cargo tray.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoMoShocks @ Jul 12 2007, 11:57 PM) [snapback]477952[/snapback]</div> It's built for the Prius, so obviously it has to fit. But, boy, that thing sure is heavy. 72kg!
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(zenMachine @ Jul 12 2007, 10:18 PM) [snapback]477959[/snapback]</div> slightly heavier than the original battery pack, no?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoMoShocks @ Jul 12 2007, 09:57 PM) [snapback]477952[/snapback]</div> Out of curiosity, how did you arrive at the $5,900 number? If it really is $5,900 where do I sign for a spot on the waiting list? <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoMoShocks @ Jul 12 2007, 09:57 PM) [snapback]477952[/snapback]</div> Yes you can (dream); but I would like to hope that this is closer to reality than other options (that cost an arm and two legs). <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoMoShocks @ Jul 12 2007, 09:57 PM) [snapback]477952[/snapback]</div> I was thinking that myself (about the spare tire location). I am now thinking back to when I had a Diesel Rabbit. Sometime in 1979, some smart entrepreneur came out with an auxiliary gas tank for the diesel rabbit that fit in the spare tire well. Total fuel capacity went from 10 gallons to 17. I really hope that Hymotion is able to deliver what they are promoting at the $5,900 number above. If they can get the dots connected by October of 2008, guess what will be on my Christmas list.... Hey, for that matter, if they have a real product before October, I might have an early Christmas.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Jul 13 2007, 10:53 AM) [snapback]478143[/snapback]</div> This is extra weight in addition to the original battery pack though, right?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(zenMachine @ Jul 13 2007, 09:19 PM) [snapback]478497[/snapback]</div> Well, I don't think 72 Kg (160 lbs) will make the car squat too low. If the spare is gone, that will drop about a third of that weight. So, an extra 100 lbs migh cost 1 MPG, but if you are gaining 40 MPG, who cares.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NoMoShocks @ Jul 14 2007, 12:49 AM) [snapback]478555[/snapback]</div> Well, actually, I would care very much (but in a positive way)! As you note I would be going from an average of 48 - 52 mpg to probably somewhere around 80 - 90 mpg (even factoring in the reduction due to the additional weight of the battery). At an average fuel price of $3.40 gallon and 12,000 miles per year, the battery paid for itself (presuming the projected $2,400 cost (after tax credit) holds) in just over 7 years. If the price of gas goes north of $3.40 (highly likely in California), the break-even point just got shortened. And then there is the intangible benefit of being able to give the middle-fingered salute to the oil companies - priceless!
I think a full-range unit is likely to run 5 figures. Maybe a short range version would be 4, but I still doubt it'll be under $8K. If 55KM cost you $19K installed, and your tax break was $2K, would you still be interested? How about $14K installed with a $3K take break? Are we really going to wait til this is a $2400 mod?
This looks very interesting. If they can get this out there for under $5000 I think I might get one instead of doing it myself with the Can-View and the Calcars method. I like that its LiON and a 30 mile range with a 160lbs battery.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bobdavisnpf @ Jul 14 2007, 06:06 AM) [snapback]478589[/snapback]</div> That is the crux of the business plan for Hymotion - unit margin $ versus volume of sales.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(apriusfan @ Jul 14 2007, 07:40 AM) [snapback]478573[/snapback]</div> I like number games but how many KW Hrs will it take to charge the battery per year? I think power cost me $0.06/KWH in GA but it is more if I go over 800KWH. Can you get the info on how many KWH it takes per night to charge so we can add in the power consumption $$$$$$'s to the equation. I am not trying to stump the chump but you forgot your electric bill numbers in the calculation. D Rock
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(D Rock @ Jul 15 2007, 01:10 PM) [snapback]479208[/snapback]</div> If you have a solar array, electricity is free. For those who do not have free electricity, you really need to look at your specific circumstance regarding electricity use and cost of the electricity. Some areas have differential pricing (higher during the day, cheaper during the evening); others (as D Rock posts) have threshold pricing. And there are probably other price models as well.
pumbsorry a 5kw batterypack a 500 wat solar panel and 10 ours of charging in the sun means a full pack? ( ofcourse not thinking about the losses in converting and less sunlight ) then you can charge your battery BREM pack cheap and easy!
