Sorry if this has already been posted somewhere: Green Car Congress: Software Upgrade to Prius PHEV NiMH Conversion Kit Enables All-Electric Driving At Up to 70mph "Poway, California-based Plug In Conversions Corp. (PICC) has completed a software upgrade to its 6.1 kWh NiMH plug-in hybrid (PHEV) conversion kit that enables all-electric mode driving at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour (until the battery pack is depleted) in a converted Prius."
Not sure, and perhaps someone can clarify this, but in the 2nd Gen Prius the HSD is lubricated only when the ICE is running. If true, wouldn't driving at 70mph be destructive?
It sounds to me like their software patch allows the engine to spin without fuelling (ie with force from MG1/2) at highway speeds. Not an efficient way of doing things you could argue, but at least it's gasoline-free.
there is already a trhead about this so its only a software upgrade.... http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-p.../63124-70-mph-electric-vehicle-only-mode.html
