Plug in Your Prius, Have Your Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Too!
[Aug. 12 2007]
As a Prius owner, I was invited to be part of a focus group for Hymotion Hybrid Plug-in Conversion Kits. We weren't told what the focus group was for until near the end of the meeting -- I and the other Toyota Prius owners assumed it was a customer satisfaction survey of some sort. In fact, I didn't even know what Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) were. I am now educating myself, and I would like to share what I've learned.In short, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle runs as an electric vehicle until it drains the plug-in battery's power supply, then reverts to normal hybrid mode. While running in EV mode, the car produces zero emissions! So you get better mileage and a more eco-friendly car.
Several auto manufacturers are now working on developing brand-new PHEV models, but Hymotion's conversion kits will allow current hybrid owners to upgrade their vehicles. Hymotion is in the process of hammering out the final details of distribution, cost, warranties, and safety certification, and expects to release conversion kits for the Toyota Prius, Ford Escape, and Honda Civic Hybrids in 2008.
Disclaimer: This review is by an ordinary Toyota Prius owner. I am not an employee of Hymotion nor any car company, and I am not an automotive expert. Consult manufacturers' websites for official information on the products I'm discussing.
Update 3/09: I'm leaving this article as an archive, but I've added a couple new sections: where to purchase Plug-in Conversion Kits for the Prius, and the latest Plug-in Hybrid news as the big automakers work on turning plug-in hybrid prototypes into production models. The first plug-in hybrids are already being tested in certain cities: Sacramento, Long Beach, Seattle, St. Petersburg, Virginia Power, and in Manitoba.
It looks like the technology for Plug-in Hybrids is about where hybrids were 6-10 years ago: the first models are available, they're great for the environment, but they're stil pricey. Right now, due to the cost, I think plug-in hybrids are mostly for those willing to be pioneers, just like the purchasers of the original Toyota Prus and Honda Insight. We salute you! I'm gonna wait until the price has come down and the kinks are out. I bet that by the time my '04 Prius is ready for replacement in 6 years or so, I'll be buying a plugin hybrid!
The Hymotion Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)
The Battery Range Extender Module (BREM)
The Hymotion lithium ion battery fills the space beneath the floor of the trunk of a Toyota Prius. I'm not sure where it goes on the Honda Civic and Ford Escape models. No original parts of the drive system are removed or replaced. A small hole is drilled in the back bumper to add an electrical outlet where a power cord can be plugged in. (Here is an article with a good photo).In the focus group in which I participated, it sounded like Hymotion is pondering creating smaller models with shorter range that cost less and/or take up less space, but at the moment, the range on the BREM battery allows a Prius to drive about 50 miles in "mixed" mode (mostly electric motor, some gasoline engine, especially at higher speeds) before the car reverts to normal hybrid operation. It will be recharged by the Prius' braking system.
The result is a car that gets 100mpg on the highway and 150mph in city driving for 50 miles after being plugged in. I think these figures are using the new, more accurate 2008 EPA testing that replaces the old one (with the new system, hybrids are more accurately measured at about 45mpg rather than the unrealistic 60).
According to the Hymotion FAQ on their website, the Hymotion battery will take about 5.5 hours to recharge at 120V or 4 hours at 240V. The battery being developed for Ford Escape takes longer. The recharge for the battery will cost about $1 with current electricity prices. This may drop depending on whether power companies give night discounts or EV incentives.
One advantage of plugging in the car at night is that this is the lowest-use period for electrical companies, so you're not going to be contributing to grid strain. The other advantage, according to a July 2007 study by the Electric Power Research Initiative, is that since power grids are getting greener -- through increasing use of solar, wind, and other alternative energy sources -- the PHEV will be a greener car as it gets older.
Gifts for Prius Owners
Issues That Still Need to Be Worked On
Questions About Warranty, Spare Tire, Safety
- Cost. The PHEV conversion kit will only take about 2 hours to install, but new technology isn't cheap. Initially, models will cost several thousand dollars.
- Warranty. Right now Hymotion is proposing a one-year warranty, but of course the big question is whether the conversion voids existing warranties. Hymotion is in the process of negotiations with Toyota, Ford, and Honda to work out the best deal they can. Also, in my focus group, the facilitator indicated that Hymotion was considering a longer warranty for its system (based partly on focus group responses, I suspect).
- Spare Tire. I and most of my focus group indicated one chief cause of concern: the new battery takes up the space where the spare tire goes. Our rep said they were going to be providing a tire sealing kit and air compressor to help nurse flat tires along until drivers could reach a service station, but I'm not sure that's good enough. The facilitator also surveyed our opinions about what we'd be willing to pay for a smaller battery with less range (say, 20 miles) in exchange for finding room for the spare tire.
- Safety. The new battery goes under the trunk and extends almost to the back of the car, whereas the Prius batteries are under the passenger seats. Hymotion-converted vehicles are currently undergoing safety crash tests, especially rear-ending. At the moment, according to the reps we talked to, the safety is "no more, no less" than that of un-converted Hybrids.
- Distribution. You won't be allowed to install these kits yourself. It sounds like Hymotion will initially have installation centers in major cities (especially in California) and is trying to convince Toyota, Ford, and Honda to allow for dealer installation and/or authorizated installation at well-known automotive maintenance providers like Costco and Sears.
- Weight. A member of my focus group asked about the weight in the back end of the vehicle, important since Priuses have small tires. The battery we were shown adds 150 more pounds-- the equivalent of one adult or a lot of groceries.
- Status Display. The prototype we saw had an ugly LED monitor installed in the small compartment below the CD player. The reps said they'd have a better-integrated one in the final design.
Plug-In Hybrids On Flickr
Many do-it-yourselfers have already converted their hybrids to PHEVs. Some of these are test vehicles by Hymotion or auto manufacturers.
Conversion in less than 24 hours.
Seen in Palo Alto, CA on 6/21/2007.
Early plug-in hybrid conversion.
Plug-in Hybrid Conversion Kits: Commercial and DIY
Where to Go For More Information
- How to Convert Your Car to a Hybrid - U.S. News Rankings and Reviews
- News report on different plug-in hybrid conversion kits -- and the Israeli blockade of Gaza actually accelerating testing and development of conversion kits that can turn ordinary cars into Plug-in hybrids for as little as a few thousand dollars, thanks to the ingenuity and desperation of Gaza citizens.
- Hymotion.com: From The Horse's Mouth
- Here's the company website for Hymotion products. The L5 Plug-in Conversion Modules for the Toyota Prius are now shipping, cost about $10,000, have a 3-year warranty, and One real-world report says: converted Priuses get about 67mpg, 75 on the highway and 56 in town. (Corroborated by Consumer's Report.) Visit Hymotion's website to find out how to purchase them and where you can get the modules installed.
- Breez "Battery Range Extender" Plug-in Prius Conversion
- Valence Lithium Battery boosts Prius' existing battery. $12,500, 1-year warranty (extendable for $1000 a year up to 5 years), does NOT take up the space of spare tire, and they claim you can go 50 miles at 100mpg before needing to use any gas. Sounds too good to be true, but then this is what some of the DIY folks in northern California -- where this company is located -- have been doing. Go to their website for info on purchase and installation.
- EDrive Plug-In Conversion Kit
- EDrive is gearing up for an August 2009 release, $12000, 3 year warranty. It will initially launch in southern California.
- California Cars Initiative for Plug-In Hybrids
- Nonprofit organization promoting plug-in hybrids. Their site provides information on how PHEVs work, why they're a good idea, environmental impact and breaking news on plug-in hybrid technology. Many articles cover technical information and detailed scientific studies.
- Plug-In Hybrid Consortium Website
- A consortium of parts suppliers working together with auto manufacturers and third parties to accelerate Plug-in Hybrid development. Includes articles on current PHEV-related news.
- Electric Auto Association - Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle Wiki
- A group of do-it-yourselfers pooling know-how and resources to help technically-experienced owners convert their hybrids to PHEVs. NOT for the everyday hybrid owner. Do-it-yourself modifications will often void manufacturer warranties.
Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle Technology
The basics -- including "what's a hybrid car?" and "why is this better?"
Google News Search: Plugin Hybrids
- Fisker buys mothballed GM factory to build $40000 plug-in hybrid cars, expands ...
- Fisker Automotive is buying the old General Motors factory in Wilmington, Delaware, to produce an affordable, family-oriented plug-in hybrid sedan to cost ...
- Toyota's Passive-aggressive Approach To The Plug-In Hybrid
- But with many automakers publicizing their coming plug-in hybrid or pure EV vehicles in an attempt to both get ahead of the curve and appear to be ahead of ...
- Official: Fisker to Buy Former GM Plant in Delaware to Build Affordable Plug ...
- ?Wilmington is perfect for high quality, low volume production and will soon be the proud builder of world-class, fuel-efficient Fisker plug-in hybrids. ...
- Retro sports car, plug-in Prius banner Toyota exhibit
- For the first time, Toyota uses Lithium-ion batteries to power their best selling hybrid car. The Plug-in Hybrid Concept is based on the third-generation ...
Plug-in Hybrid Car Books and Related Videos
Plug-in Hybrids: The Cars that will Recharge America
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The Complete Idiot's Guide to Hybrid and Alternative Fuel Vehicles
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The Essential Hybrid Car Handbook: A Buyer's Guide
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Who Killed the Electric Car?
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Convert It!
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Hybrid Car Newswire: RSS Feed
Recent Hybrid Car News and Blog Posts
Fetching RSS feed... please stand by
Submit Your Own PHEV Links
Do you know of a good website about plug-in hybrid electric vehicles? How about converted hybrid cars? Share your discoveries here, then vote on the best sites.
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"Yes, I Love My Hybrid Car!" Lens
Whether or not you've got a hybrid, here's a frank review of my 2004 Toyota Prius. Also, you'll find find bumper stickers, t-shirts, license plate frames, and other gifts for the hybrid car owner.-
Yes, I Love My Hybrid Car
-
Yep, I am a rabid Prius owner. I got it for the environment. I love it for the mileage, especially after the gas prices here jumped over $3! When hybrid cars first came out in Japan, I thought I'd wait a few years until they'd worked out all the kinks...
Goverment Review of Alternative Energy Automobiles
21st Century Complete Guide to Electric Cars and Hybrid Vehicles: Department of Energy and EPA Comparisons, Toyota Prius, Honda Insight, How Hybrids Work, ... Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions (DVD-ROM)
Amazon Price: $25.00 (as of 11/11/2009)
Beyond the rhetoric (hopefully): EPA comparisons and stats on hybrids, electric cars and other eco-friendly vehicles. Real data for those who need it.
Reader Feedback
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Feel free to share links about eco-friendly technology and cars with my readers, but note: Squidoo guestbooks are nofollow. Sorry, no search engine juice for you, Mr. Linkbait McSpam!
TheGreenCarCompany wrote...
Thanks for the mentions! We work with Hymotion to do these conversions at our store here in Bellevue, WA! Glad you've discovered something we feel so passionately about. Great lens!
Posted June 23, 2009
trosquin wrote...
Awesome Lens...very thorough. I first read about the hymotion kits a year ago and then wrote about it at Certified Toyota Hybrids
Posted June 09, 2009
XocaiHealthyChocolate wrote...
I found this very interesting, and the way to go for the sake of our world.
Posted January 19, 2009
by Greekgeek
Greetings! I'm not Greek, I just love ancient Greece. I'm a graduate student in mythological studies -- want fries with that? -- using the web to shar...
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