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Gen II Plug in conversion, does it make financial sense?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by AllenZ, Mar 27, 2012.

  1. AllenZ

    AllenZ Active Member

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    2010 Prius
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    Looks like the Enginer conversion kit 4kwh for $4000, 20 miles range, only saves $485/Year, assuming gas price at $4, everyday drives 20 miles, electric price at 1/4 of gas equivalent. It will takes 8+ year to break even. But the battery life is between 6 and 8 years normally, not to mention performance will be lower after couple of years.

    Do I miss something here?

    Oh, the added dead weight will lower some mpg too.
     
    #1 AllenZ, Mar 27, 2012
  2. roflwaffle

    roflwaffle Member

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    That's about right. The only significantly cost effective conversions appear to be by DIYers, be them custom one-offs or using something like a BMS+. The batteries in a 4kWh enginer kit should only run ~$1200, so if someone were to go with that and something like a BMS+, then the kit cost would be amortized within the first five years or so, and battery replacement every ten years would reduce costs by ~$350+/year, or more if someone went with a larger pack. Another problem with the enginer kit is that it uses the NiMH pack as a buffer, so that increases wear on the OEM pack.
     
    #2 roflwaffle, Mar 28, 2012
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