Plug-in Prius here now?

funpilot · 04-18-2005, 05:44 PM

Anyone been monitoring this company?

lgeisz · 04-18-2005, 06:19 PM

This looks promising but my question would be 1) how many extra batteries do you need? 2) how does the new system tie in with the existing system? 3) where/how do you store the extra batteries? and 4) how much extra weight do you add? I did not question the price yet because I think these questions are most relevant.

DanMan32 · 04-19-2005, 08:20 AM

Them batteries look awfully small to seem any good. I wonder too how it would tie into the system and be easily removable.

One other question that hasn't been answered in any Prius+ program: prognosis on battery life. The current Prius battery will last the lifetime of the car due to the fact that it only uses 40% of its full capacity. So, if these batteries fully deplete, how long will they last?

04-20-2005, 08:50 AM

The Valence Lithium-ion batteries use an unusual phosphate based chemistry. This means no fires, 10 year lifespan and 2,000 deep cycles.

The cells fit in the gap underneath the floor in the back, so no real loss of space (see below). The pack adds ~90kg in weight, but this is offset quite a lot by taking out the original OEM NiMH battery pack.

The 9 kWhr pack should be sufficient for 60 miles of assist - so with deep discharges you'd be looking at a battery life of ~120,000 miles. However, most journeys would be less than 60 miles, so with shallower cycles it's likely higher mileages could be achieved before needing a new pack.

By the way, not attached to any of the Plug-in Prius Projects at all - just a keen observer!

KTPhil · 04-20-2005, 01:29 PM

Do the batteries in the photo take up the space used by the spare tire?

tgates · 04-20-2005, 03:31 PM

Great idea, but the real key is cost. How much is it? Also how much to install or can it be done by anyone?

funpilot · 04-22-2005, 06:27 PM

Could someone on this forum contact these guys and ask the right questions? I think it would be a better model if they left the original batteries in and used theirs as a primary battery....

Tadashi · 04-24-2005, 02:51 AM

I contacted the Valence company. They only created one car to prove it could be done. They have since started a smaller company to handle sales, marketing, and production of further units (in California). I have since sent an email to that POC but have not gotten a response yet.

lgeisz · 04-24-2005, 08:10 AM

Not knowing this group (other than what I have read) I would think IMHO that they are a couple of years off from creating a cost effective "after market/conversion kit". I would think the start up cost would be a major factor in the production, then it would be finding manufacturing facilities for the components. My limited/basic ‘business 101” take on it.

Ray Moore · 04-24-2005, 08:29 AM

The mixed charging characteristics and risk of overcharging one or the other or over draining one or the other caused the problems I think.

04-18-2005, 05:44 PM	#1
funpilot Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 62 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Plug-in Prius here now? Anyone been monitoring this company?

04-18-2005, 06:19 PM	#2
lgeisz Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sun City AZ Posts: 83 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Plug-in Prius here now? This looks promising but my question would be 1) how many extra batteries do you need? 2) how does the new system tie in with the existing system? 3) where/how do you store the extra batteries? and 4) how much extra weight do you add? I did not question the price yet because I think these questions are most relevant.

04-20-2005, 08:50 AM	#4
Anonymous Guest Posts: n/a My Car: Package:	Re: Plug-in Prius here now? The Valence Lithium-ion batteries use an unusual phosphate based chemistry. This means no fires, 10 year lifespan and 2,000 deep cycles. The cells fit in the gap underneath the floor in the back, so no real loss of space (see below). The pack adds ~90kg in weight, but this is offset quite a lot by taking out the original OEM NiMH battery pack. The 9 kWhr pack should be sufficient for 60 miles of assist - so with deep discharges you'd be looking at a battery life of ~120,000 miles. However, most journeys would be less than 60 miles, so with shallower cycles it's likely higher mileages could be achieved before needing a new pack. By the way, not attached to any of the Plug-in Prius Projects at all - just a keen observer!

04-22-2005, 06:27 PM	#7
funpilot Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 62 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Plug-in Prius here now? Could someone on this forum contact these guys and ask the right questions? I think it would be a better model if they left the original batteries in and used theirs as a primary battery....

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04-19-2005, 08:20 AM	#3
DanMan32 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Tampa Bay, FL Posts: 3,775 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Them batteries look awfully small to seem any good. I wonder too how it would tie into the system and be easily removable. One other question that hasn't been answered in any Prius+ program: prognosis on battery life. The current Prius battery will last the lifetime of the car due to the fact that it only uses 40% of its full capacity. So, if these batteries fully deplete, how long will they last?

04-20-2005, 01:29 PM	#5
KTPhil Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,213 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Do the batteries in the photo take up the space used by the spare tire?

04-20-2005, 03:31 PM	#6
tgates Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Great idea, but the real key is cost. How much is it? Also how much to install or can it be done by anyone?

04-24-2005, 02:51 AM	#8
Tadashi Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Fort Hood, TX Posts: 794 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I contacted the Valence company. They only created one car to prove it could be done. They have since started a smaller company to handle sales, marketing, and production of further units (in California). I have since sent an email to that POC but have not gotten a response yet.

04-24-2005, 08:10 AM	#9
lgeisz Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sun City AZ Posts: 83 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Not knowing this group (other than what I have read) I would think IMHO that they are a couple of years off from creating a cost effective "after market/conversion kit". I would think the start up cost would be a major factor in the production, then it would be finding manufacturing facilities for the components. My limited/basic ‘business 101” take on it.

04-24-2005, 08:29 AM	#10
Ray Moore Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 818 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	The mixed charging characteristics and risk of overcharging one or the other or over draining one or the other caused the problems I think.