What's coming this year for PHEV conversion?

[temaku]

I have a 2006 prius with 116K miles. I and most every one else living in California got screwed as we can no longer the HOV lanes as a single occupant vehicle. Where can I have a plug conversion installed and what would I be facing cost wise? Appreciate anyone's help here. Tom

Originally Posted by linuxpenguin

Howdy,

Yes the PHEV world is exciting, isn't it ?

I have a PICC kit in my car and so yes I can vouch for its general awesomeness (and its associated price tag...). You get what you pay for in this industry though.

Price is only one piece of the puzzle--after all, these conversions won't save you money today (or for that matter for the life of the car most likely). Unless gas hits $8 you can pretty much forget about seeing a return on any PHEV system unless you are a crazy / wicked good hypermiler (I happen to believe that it will hit $8 a gallon soon, not sure if it will happen before I get a new car or not though).

No, like I say so many times (sorry everyone who has to hear me say it again), we convert our cars to reduce dependency on foreign oil, dependency on fossil fuels, and to reduce overall emissions and not to save money. (I know you weren't complaining about prices in general, but I always like to remind people why we do these things).

That said, I'm sure Plugin Conversions is working to get costs down but this takes time and scale to do.

As for battery breakthroughs (in general to the battery industry), there are some promising battery technologies on the horizon promising up to 10 times the capacity of modern batteries, but I wouldn't hold my breath just yet. Anything that is discovered today will likely take 5 years at least to become fully researched, developed, tested, certified and mass produced.

For now, Lithium and Nickle Metal are the best things on the market--both having their strengths and weaknesses (density, weight, temperature tolerance, internal resistance, cost, etc).

Andrew

[danwisdom]

Hi Tom-

I actually have to PHEV's for sale, or I would be willing to trade for another prius (gen II or newer).

One is a 2004 with an over $12K 10kWh conversion by Boulder Hybrid Conversions. I would sell that for $18K or equivalent trade.

The other is a 2005 fully loaded, nav, leather xeon lights... with a an over $5k 4kWh conversion by Boulder Hybrid Conversions. I would sell that for $15K or equivalent trade.

Thanks!
Dan

I could also drive the car to you if you wanted to trade/purchase one.

[pjo180]

I heard a rumor that "Hymotion quietly went away." Anyone know the current status of Hymotion?

[DBusch]

Originally Posted by dan2l

Hi Organik,
I think the Enginer system will push everyone to be more cost effective. Enginer is the cheapest today and probubly will not drop in price because they are working so hard to improve their system.

I do expect other PHEV kits will need to approach the Enginer cost in the future to stay viable in the marketplace.

I have a 4kwhr Enginer system and 2 more on order. Be sure to ask each cotributor what system they have. It is important to reallize that each of us is prejudiced toward our own system.

Thanks,
Dan

The problem with the Enginer system is that it is too price cautious. I bought one earlier this year and after initially being very impressed, one part after another failed. Communication varied from wonderful to nonexistent. Eventually I returned it an took a hit on the restocking fee. When it worked it was impressive - the problem is that it hardly ever worked. Quality issues abounded.
David

[Wheelin1]

I talked to the people a picc and I am considering doing this conversion. I live in WV and they are going to fly to my location in Wheeling if I do it. West Virginia will pay for 50% of the cost in a tax credit. I seek other West Virginians that want to do this conversion at the same time, maybe get a deal for the conversion. The conversion will be with the lithium-ion batteries and the 70MPH EV . I am considering November 2012. Thanks Jim PS jduke245@comcast.net