Prepare to Plug in for 100-mpg Hybrids A new strain of gas/electric hybrid vehicles called plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, or PHEVs, represent the latest wave of fuel-efficiency-boosting technology being explored by carmakers and third-party firms. They promise to boost gas mileage to 100 mpg and beyond by running only on rechargeable electric batteries for limited distances. As the name suggests, they can be plugged in to recharge. No PHEVs are currently sold by major auto manufacturers, but Toyota recently pledged to pursue the technology and independent companies are working to convert existing hybrids into plug-ins. A small Southern California company called EnergyCS hopes to offer kits to convert 2004 and newer Toyota Priuses to PHEVs by the end of the year for a target cost of $12,000 per conversion, including installation. Read the full article here.
Same old stuff... - no real-world data provided (what about highway?) - no mention of battery benefits beyond EV threshold - no expectation set for driving in winter conditions - no acknowledgement of routine service concerns
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aaf709 @ Nov 1 2006, 08:33 AM) [snapback]341931[/snapback]</div> Check out Plug-in Partners. "Plug-In Partners is a national grass-roots initiative to demonstrate to automakers that a market for flexible-fuel Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) exists today." Play the PHEV Video at the bottom, Very Interesting. pluginpartners.org
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john1701a @ Nov 1 2006, 11:38 AM) [snapback]341996[/snapback]</div> All true. But, whatever their faults I applaud all those out there doing their part to raise awareness of the interest and feasability of a PHEV. I'm confident that it has played a strong roll in Toyota's decision to 'offer a plug-in option' in the next generation Prius. None of the commercially available add-ons are attractive to me, but that doesn't mean the concept isn't attractive in a more purpose-built vehicle capable of higher speeds, longer ranges, better battery maintenance, etc. FWIW, those whom I'm aware of who've done their own additional battery add-ons (without plug-in capability) have experienced about a 10% FE improvement in hwy driving...this seems to be due to lower internal battery resistance as I understand it. There's also no reason to think there'll be any issues with winter driving. In fact, in a plug in the fact that it's charging may help keep the battery warmer than it would normally be and improve its effiency over the OEM pack since it gets so darn cold.
When I picked up my 2007 Touring Prius last Saturday, the auto broker told me it was good I got a 2007 because Prius will "go for $50,000" in the near future (reference to PHEVs). Ah . . . hearsay never stops.
Regarding the issue of highway driving, plug-in Prius conversions typically manage over 100 mpg at about 60 mph. This is because about half of the energy to propel the car comes from the battery, even when not in EV mode (it's like one big long assist). This means only half the gasoline is used, so mileage effectively doubles on the highway. Because you don't need an EV-mode to benefit from plug-in conversions, the Honda IMA system would also see good benefits on the highway cycle. Indeed Mike Dabrowski over at Insightcentral sees >150 mpg on the highway in his home-made plug-in assisted Insight.
