Luscious Garage PHEV system REPLACES Prius Pack

[ericbecky]

Has anyone else seen this PHEV system?
Luscious Garage in San Francisco is installing this system
I got to ride in this vehicle from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Very cool!

Here's what I remember about it.

- Replaces the original Prius battery.

- NiMh batteries.

- About 6 times more powerful than the original battery.

- Able to capture regen.

- Top Electric speed 70 mph.

- At reasonable speed can go 25 miles all electric.

System is made by Plug in Conversions Corp of San Diego.
Batteries mfg by GoldPeak.
Cost $13,500
2-day installation.

Here's a video interview about Luscious Garage and this system that was done at Long Beach, CA.

She had a fact sheet that I'll post up once I get a copy of it.

[plugmein2]

The price tag on this system is outrageous for what you get. This has all the bangs and whistles but at what COST!! It's kinda like going to a Monster Truck show. It is cool to see the trucks but you would never spend that kind of money on your own truck just to drive it down the road.

As a prius owner, getting to basically "plug-in" shouldn't be this complicated. Having to use a laptop to see what the car is doing is a bit overkill as well. I like the idea of 70 mph in electric mode, but thats about it.

JOANNA

[ericbecky]

This system is pretty incredible and definitely does things that no other system can do so far. (Capture regen, go highway speed in EV, etc)

The laptop is not needed for the interface. It is just for show for now; in actual systems it will be an interface on the MFD.

The system is a lot more complex and includes upgraded rear springs. If you happen to have the $$$ it would be a great system to own.

I've attached a more detailed Fact Sheet that I got from Carolyn of Luscious Garage.

Enjoy!

[TheForce]

I would love to test drive one of these setups for a week to see what I can get on my commute. I might be able to do all electric.

[ericbecky]

Jay,
I immediately thought of you when I drove this set up. Your commute would be perfect for this, especially if you could plug in at work.

The pack is plenty powerful and does what I think people expect from a PHEV.

If manufacturers would make a car like this from the factory it would amaze a lot of people.

Until then... people willl have to spend $13,500 and wait two days for the install.

[Flying White Dutchman]

Originally Posted by ericbecky

Has anyone else seen this PHEV system?
.

yes i already seen the comment on there blog with the picture´s

AND i also have seen these battery cells nothing new only first time in a prius

funny i wanted to do the same with used one´s

this pack and the BMS plus i can do kinda all what you say about this kit.

also the 70mph also means that the ICE is turning ( not injecting any fuel ) and losing some energy by doing that so losing some range in doing that to.

but anyways.. i like the system and love the Nimh setup that we all now already works for years now.

[krousdb]

Originally Posted by ericbecky

Has anyone else seen this PHEV system?
Luscious Garage in San Francisco is installing this system
I got to ride in this vehicle from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Very cool!

Here's what I remember about it.

- Replaces the original Prius battery.

- NiMh batteries.

- About 6 times more powerful than the original battery.

- Able to capture regen.

- Top Electric speed 70 mph.

- At reasonable speed can go 25 miles all electric.

System is made by Plug in Conversions Corp of San Diego.
Batteries mfg by GoldPeak.
Cost $13,500
2-day installation.

Here's a video interview about Luscious Garage and this system that was done at Long Beach, CA.

She had a fact sheet that I'll post up once I get a copy of it.

For anyone interested in this PICC conversion, Steve Woodruff at autobeyours is installing one withiin the next few weeks. Give him a call for more details.

[Flying White Dutchman]

here are the same battery cells that are used in the PICC system

these are already a few years old and used in a Dutch hybrid bublic transport bus.

[DaveinOlyWA]

Originally Posted by plugmein2

The price tag on this system is outrageous for what you get. This has all the bangs and whistles but at what COST!! It's kinda like going to a Monster Truck show. It is cool to see the trucks but you would never spend that kind of money on your own truck just to drive it down the road.

As a prius owner, getting to basically "plug-in" shouldn't be this complicated. Having to use a laptop to see what the car is doing is a bit overkill as well. I like the idea of 70 mph in electric mode, but thats about it.

JOANNA

well you get a Volt for $40,000 which when you get right down to it, is about the same price.

i agree its spendy, but its still better than anything else i have seen. the ability to program your drive distance so the computer can determine the best options is pretty friking cool i think and definitely worth the additional cost.

what we really need is a game changer on the storage issues. batteries should not be that expensive.

[plugmein2]

Originally Posted by DaveinOlyWA

well you get a Volt for $40,000 which when you get right down to it, is about the same price.

i agree its spendy, but its still better than anything else i have seen. the ability to program your drive distance so the computer can determine the best options is pretty friking cool i think and definitely worth the additional cost.

what we really need is a game changer on the storage issues. batteries should not be that expensive.

Computer options are friking cool, yes, I agree. I love new tech stuff. However, I have never paid more than $15,000 for a car period, let alone a plug-in conversion kit for almost as much as the car itself. The Volt is frikin cool, but I cant afford it. The new Plug-in prius from Toyota will be in the $45,000 range, and I cant afford that one either. So how can the average "Jo" (heehee) get to plug in for cheap? hmmm?

JOANNA