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Question about plug-in mods.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by adric22, Nov 24, 2009.

  1. adric22

    adric22 Ev and Hybrid Enthusiast

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    I'm sorry if this has been asked before, I've searched through some other threads and haven't seen an exact answer.

    I have seen that there are several plug-in mods available for the Prius. So far I see discussion of improved gas mileage. But what I'm wanting to do is essentially have an electric car. But I don't need a lot of range. Let me explain my scenario and maybe somebody can tell me if this is possible.

    I work approximately 4 miles from my home. The fastest speed I ever need to achieve is about 45 mph. I actually built a conversion electric car a few years ago and drove it to work for a year or so but ended up having to sell the car due to financial troubles. Well, the financial troubles are gone but it occurred to me that it costs $10,000 to do a conversion of a regular car and almost a year's worth of work. Besides, my EV could only realistically maintain 45 mph anyway. I'm thinking I could possibly buy a used Prius, do the plug-in modification and be in the same cost ball-park with a lot less work and even still have an air-conditioner. Not only that, but if I needed to take the car on a longer trip, I could revert to gasoline. But the goal is to be able to drive back and forth to work (about 8 miles per day) without ever having to turn on the gas engine.

    So.. Is this possible? Do any of the plug-in mods actually allow you to force the car to run in EV only?
     
    #1 adric22, Nov 24, 2009
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  2. MJFrog

    MJFrog Active Member

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    For your stated speed, range and cost, the Hymotion will probably do what you want.
     
    #2 MJFrog, Nov 24, 2009
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  3. ken1784

    ken1784 SuperMID designer

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    Above 42 mph, the engine has to run on normal and any plug-in mod Prius.

    Ken@Japan
     
    #3 ken1784, Nov 24, 2009
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  4. NWPriusPlus

    NWPriusPlus Junior Member

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    You might want to check out the BMS+ plug-in conversion. Since you have done a full conversion, this would be a piece of cake for you, and the cost is very reasonable. See my thread at [​IMG] One Year of Driving Our BMS+ Plug-In Prius , or for more details at One Year of Operation in a Plug-in Prius with Norm’s BMS+ System . I spent about $2200 (plus the Prius), and only a few weeks work--you are correct, you get the air conditioner and the convenience of a single nice car that can also do the long trips.

    Good luck,

    NW BMS+ Driver
     
    #4 NWPriusPlus, Nov 25, 2009
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  5. JoesMorgue

    JoesMorgue Junior Member

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    Engineer has a mod for the Prius that I thinks starts at only about $2000, depending on how much power your want. I thinks you can finds another thread on this forum where people have (will) ordered multiple sets and tied them together to increase the range with success.

    IIRC, the $2000 mod will give you about 10 miles in electric.

    As others have said, 42 is the upper limit for driving without the ICE, but I don't see you causeing a major backup if you drove 3-5 below the speed limit. But I don't know the traffic that is around you at those times. I do it regulary on a 40MPH road, but traffic is light.

     
    #5 JoesMorgue, Dec 23, 2009
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  6. snookums

    snookums Junior Member

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    #6 snookums, Dec 23, 2009
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