Hymotion Plug-in a123 battery pack available for consumer purchase

[pelewis2]

probably a repeat post but... pretty sweet

Hymotion :: Enabling the new generation of hybrid owners to maximize their fuel efficiency

A123Systems has fully launched the Hymotion L5 plug-in hybrid module designed to convert a Toyota Prius, model years 2004 – 2008, into a plug-in hybrid capable of achieving up to 100 mpg for 30-40 miles within the electrically assisted driving range. A123Systems acquired Hymotion in February 2007. (Earlier post.)
The 5 kWh L5 Plug-in Conversion Module (PCM) is priced at $9,995, which includes a three-year standard warranty and installation. Currently, Hymotion is only conducting L5 installations in the United States through Certified Hymotion Installation Partners (Green CHIP dealers). Canadian vehicles can be brought to US installation locations.
The A123Systems Hymotion L5 Plug-in Conversion Module (PCM) for the Prius. Click to enlarge. A123Systems is currently establishing and certifying its CHIP dealer network in cities around the country. Initial Green CHIP dealers will be located in Boston, Washington, DC, Minneapolis, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
In April 2008, in the absence of established PHEV certification procedures, the California Air Resources Board (AR outlined a path for conditional approval for A123Systems to sell up to 500 L5 PCMs in California as a means of initiating the rollout. The company is now in the process of finalizing that approval.
A123Systems and others are working with ARB to establish full certification procedures for PHEVs. Once those procedures are final, there would be no restriction on quantities sold (assuming the L5 meets certification).
The L5 module fits in the spare wheel well of the Prius, preserving trunk space.

Green Car Congress: A123Systems Launches Hymotion PHEV Conversion Module for Prius

Hymotion L5 Li-Ion battery for the Toyota Prius II and much more. - CleanMPG Forums

[joe1347]

$10K including installation. I wonder what the manufacturing cost would be (to Toyota) if the same A123Systems LiFePO4 battery was a factory installed option package? Few thousand less?

Along the same lines, why do 5KW-Hr worth of LiFePO4 batteries cost almost $10K? The fundamental material costs (of Lithium) are low. Is the high cost simply an 'economy of scale' issue because A123Systems is still a small and relatively new company? What about if the US Government dropped a few billion dollars to build a 'massive' LiFePO4 battery manufacturing facility (in the USA for once). Would scaling then significantly reduce the manufacturing variable cost to less than half the current $10K cost? If so, wouldn't it make sense to spend a few billion dollars to allow car manufacturers to immediately build hundreds of thousands of 100mpg cars that only cost the consumer a few thousand extra dollars (per car)?

[pelewis2]

Cost for 1000+ packs is $6000 according to the website. A lot goes into a good pack design, charge management and charging, cost of testing, packaging, etc...

[pewd]

How would this affect the Prius warranty? Void it I presume?

[pelewis2]

I think that Hymotion said that if something goes wrong and toyota voided your warranty for that component that hymotion would pay for the repair.

Your entire warranty cannot be voided, I am not sure if this is what you were asking, but a manufacturer cannot void your entire warranty, they can only say that they will not warranty a component if a modification was done that could cause the specific problem.

[ibcs]

I would like to know if any members are using the Hymotion module? It appears that the install uses the wheel well area. I wondered where the plug in is mounted. Thanks in advance, ---Kent

[Tideland Prius]

nice! EV Conversion for a Yaris runs near US$40k.

A Prius + Hymotion Pack is less than that and it's more useable!

[efusco]

Originally Posted by ibcs

I would like to know if any members are using the Hymotion module? It appears that the install uses the wheel well area. I wondered where the plug in is mounted. Thanks in advance, ---Kent

The plug is usually mounted on the left rear bumper.
I have photos of a complete install HERE.look about 4/5ths the way down the page.

[Gadgetdad]

Ok guys and gals, it is here! Who will be first to jump in? I am tempted!


Lee

[patsparks]

Hands up everyone who hates the space saver spare tyre?
Here is a valid reason to get rid of it. Yippee!!

Now hands up anyone who would hate to be 50 miles from the nearest town with a flat tyre and no spare?

I had a flat tyre last week, I was about 50 miles from the nearest town with no phone coverage, I love my spare tyre. My valve stem was broken so the sticky fix a flat stuff wouldn't have worked.
It was bad enough that the flat tyre wouldn't fit in the spare wheel space, would have been worse if I had no spare.

Please don't get me wrong, I love the concept but in practise there is a cost of removing the spare.