REVIEW: Hymotion Battery Plug-In Prius

[TheForce]

The reason I wont see or may not see anything above 200MPG on a tank is because of the time it takes me to travel 2000+ miles. During that time I may take a long trip that goes well out side the range of the Hymotion battery. I do however get 200, 300, and even 400 MPG on my trip to and from work according to my ScanGauge. Its those longer trips that knock me down to the 100-160 MPG range. With any luck this next tank will be my 2000+ mile 200+MPG tank. Only thing holding me back is my trip to the Green Drive Expo in July. By my calculations I be just shy of 2000 miles by then.

[PeakOilGarage]

Originally Posted by TheForce

Just filled up today. 166MPG and 1691.3 Miles. last fill up was 2008-12-29.

And that was during cold weather temps. I suspect you will do even better this summer. Great job !!!

[bruceha_2000]

All very interesting and thanks for the detail Mr. Force

Two comments/questions:
1) You CAN NOT force EV with the hymotion engaged?? Bummer. It would be a great EV only car for those with 10 to 15 mile commutes if you could.

2) The charger for the Hymotion is IN the spare tire well. Hadn't realized that before. I wonder how many kWs they could fit in a battery that sat in the spare tire well with an external charger for those that only charge at home (or maybe portable enough to toss in the back for charging at destinations.

OR: maybe how many MORE kWs the Hymotion battery could hold if the current total volume was batteries, not batteries and charger.

OR: lift struts on the current battery (without the charger) so you still have the spare tire. Hope to never need it but don't want to leave home without it

[TheForce]

1) You CAN NOT force EV with the hymotion engaged?? Bummer. It would be a great EV only car for those with 10 to 15 mile commutes if you could.

You CAN force EV with the Hymotion. I do it all the time. You just have to have the button installed.

I strap my spare tire on above the battery. I don't carry around much cargo so that works well for me.

I don't know the answer to you other questions.

[TheForce]

Looks like someone from NC will be making rounds in OH to upgrade the Hymotion software. My upgrade is scheduled for Tuesday morning. I'll report back and let you know how it went.

[ibcs]

Originally Posted by TheForce

Looks like someone from NC will be making rounds in OH to upgrade the Hymotion software. My upgrade is scheduled for Tuesday morning. I'll report back and let you know how it went.

Why and what are we upgrading. My Hymotion seems to be fine.

---Kent

[TheForce]

The guy I talked to said it was a software update. I did not ask why. I'm guessing its to help fix the 12v issue and give us the CARB required start up. I'll try to get more info on Tuesday. Have they called you yet or have you had yours updated?

[ibcs]

Originally Posted by TheForce

The guy I talked to said it was a software update. I did not ask why. I'm guessing its to help fix the 12v issue and give us the CARB required start up. I'll try to get more info on Tuesday. Have they called you yet or have you had yours updated?

Strange, if you have a phone number for the person please send me it. I have not had any problem since I put the L5 Battery Booster on. If it only updates for CARB, I'd prefer not to have it, unless other benefits are stated.

---Kent

[abra]

????'s

I drive 80 miles a day. mostly 80% of speeds under 35mph/10% hwy/10% 45mph.
going to own the car for the next 3 yrs or 150k miles (at 41k now in one year)
drive about twice a mo. out of town (around 600miles hwy)

ok now the ???

1. Is this a good choice for me?
2. can i plug it in between trips ( car avg about hr off time between jobs, then drive 10 miles to next)?
3. do i turn it off for those long hwy trips or leave it on?
4. at what speed does ice turn itself on ( i do have ev mode and and do now how to use it)?


currently i can avg (before the new tires) 57mpg with EV, EBH, and Grill block. i dont see myself has a hypermill driver ( if traffice is going 55mph in a 45mph zone i go with the flow).

without those small mods i can avg 49mpg.

thankyou
mike

[zcat3]

With only three years expected ownership, I doubt you would recoup your investment unless gas goes to $4 or more per gallon again. The Hymotion pack is expected to last 100,000 miles at full capacity and then start to decline from there. Nobody really can say for sure, though, since we are still waiting for real world results.

That said, you would probably at least double your mileage with the Hymotion. I just did a quick calculation, and figured if gas averages $3 per gallon over the next 3 years, you drive 150,000 miles, and the Hymotion doubles your mileage, you would save $4,000 in gas (keep in mind that this is offset by energy costs if you have to pay for all the kWh you use). I suppose you may get some money back on a higer resale value, but I doubt it would add $6000.

Your commute does sound pretty ideal for the Hymotion. The Hymotion pack when fully drained needs about 4.5 - 4.8 kWh to charge back up. The pack charges with a standard 120v outlet at about 1 kWh per hour, so if you could plug it in for 4 hours during the day you would almost have the ability to go through 2 full charge cycles in one day, whch should get you 60 - 80 miles in Hybrid mode or 30 - 40 miles in pure EV mode.