Plug-In Supply launches new Prius PHEV kit for $4995
Plug-In Supply has just released its new $4995 kit which converts your 2004-2008 Prius into a Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle (PHEV). Because the system is based on the Cal Cars reference design and uses lead-acid batteries as opposed to the more expensive lithium or nickel-based batteries, this new kit is cheaper than many other PHEV conversion options. According to Plug-In Supply, the kit will allow your Prius to operate in electric-only mode for up to fifteen miles and at speeds of up to fifty-two miles per hour. Getting 15 miles out of a lead acid pack will be a real stretch given that Toyota is only getting eight with a NiMH pack in its prototype PHEV Priuses. Getting a Prius up to 52 mph on batteries will also take a long time with the size of the electric motor used and all of this will absolutely, possitively void any warranty you may have left. The lead-acid batteries which help make this new kit relatively affordable aren't likely to last the life of the vehicle. Therefore, the pack has been designed to be upgradeable to lithium batteries in the future. Due to the 360-pound weight of the included battery pack, heavy-duty springs have also been made available for the rear of the Prius. While it still may not make sound economic sense, this kit proves that the costs associated with creating PHEVs is going down. Those living in California, though, might be hard-pressed to purchase a kit such as this if CARB passes its new regulations, as kits using lead-acid batteries may find it rather difficult to meet some of the proposed requirements.
[Source: Plug-In Supply]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
GoodCheer 1:48PM (7/29/2008)
"Getting 15 miles out of a lead acid pack will be a real stretch given that Toyota is only getting eight with a NiMH pack in its prototype PHEV Priuses"
The new PbA system has 5 kWh of energy, so 15 miles would be using 333 Wh/mile, which seems pretty reasonable. Our eBox uses between 181 and 269 Wh/mile, but weighs a bit less. In contrast, the NiMH prototype is only using two of the current NiMH packs, for a total energy of 2.6 kWh, so gettting 10 miles range from that is much more impressive at 260 Wh/mile. (Even given the difference in weight).
They are also supposedly using a new long-life formulation of PbA, good for 800 cycles, which should be something like 3 years of pretty consistent use.
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state 6:14PM (7/29/2008)
"The lead-acid batteries which help make this new kit relatively affordable aren't likely to last the life of the vehicle. "
What is the "life" of the vehicle?
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M1EK 8:36PM (7/29/2008)
Toyota's PHEV pack is probably being kept in a more strict charge band, for one thing. No reason to bother with that for lead acid batteries, which aren't going to last that long anyways, right?
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