Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Plug-in Hybrids
This discussion has been closed.
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
On June 7, 2008, the converted Prius plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) owned by Central Electric Power Cooperative in Columbia, SC, was destroyed by an internal fire that occurred during a routine drive. Thankfully, there were no injuries. But the converted Prius was destroyed. The cause of the fire is not known.
Full story:
link title
This raises the question if the charging device is part of the original Prius or aftermarket. Of course Toyota can not be held responsible for changes to the original Prius. I am sure Toyota is not thrilled having their baby kluged up and displayed all charred from a fire.
I would never get an aftermarket phev setup. These systems are so complex, and the components so unproven, that I want Toyota's or GM's neck on the line (along with mine).
Boulder, Colo.-based Hybrids Plus has advised all of its conversion owners to stop driving the vehicles until further information is available. According to the press release, forensic examinations have not been able to conclusively identify the cause of the fire, but established that the battery cells – which, according to plug-in advocacy group CalCars.org came from A123Systems – were not the reason.
http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/plug-in-hybrid-catches-fire-1032.html
PS
I tried to find info from the owner of the Prius just what kind of mileage they were getting. They did not mention it on their website. They have a total of 7 of these hybrid conversions from Hybrids Plus in Colorado.
I think it is an honest log. As you can see mpg varies from
171 to 74. The former is for exclusively short trip city driving
under 40 mph where the battery range sufficed for most
days. The later is for mostly highway driving at
60-65 mph. This is as expected. Most people will get
in the 90-100 mpg range.
http://www.greenhybrid.com/compare/mileage/car/5291.html
be 20K now. The economics are getting better with better battery tech,
higher volume and higher gas prices but it is still not there yet.
It is impossible to get infinte mpg from a Prius as the ICE will always switch
on from a cold start to warm the CAT converter. I calculated that this
operation burns .05 gals each time.
So for my daily commute of 10 miles each way on city streets I will burn
.1 gals. That gives me 200 mpg (without considering the charge)
and yearly use of about 6000 miles. It will save me 90 gals of gas per year
or $450 even at $5/gal.
It will cost 35 cents to charge overnight at 9c/kwh. So that will cost
about $100 per year. So early savings is max $350 and it leads to
breakeven of > 25 years. So it is still not viable from a economic point
of view - but maybe green point of view. I am hopeful it will be much better
once Toyota or Chevy atually starts selling these or if the Saudis
decide to really take us for a ride.
Not too concerned about handling at < 40 mph on cty streets. Hymotion
have crash tested for safety.
Luscious Garage is offering to perform plug-in hybrid conversions with equipment from Plug-In Supply.
Petaluma, Calif.-based Plug-In Supply. announced last week at the Plug-In 2008 conference that it will sell $5,000 conversion systems with lead-acid batteries, enabling a Prius to achieve the equivalent of 100 miles per gallon and drive 20 miles on a full charge. Kits with lithium-ion batteries cost $11,000.
A conversion for $5K that gives 20 miles !! That's a great price !!!
Assumes gas will stay at $4 a gallon over the next 100,000 miles. When I bought by 2003 prius 110,000 miles ago gas was much closer to $2 a gallon. Once our market corrects and we are paying global/European prices between $8-10 per gallon (currently likely to rise in years to come). Spending $5k to save 1000 gallons will look like a better deal.
Any all electric range will be invaluable once the shortages arrive and Joe Gasburner can't fill his tank.
I might be prepared to roll those dice on a factory-installed version, but aftermarket? No way. Too complex of a system, to many things that could go wrong, too expensive if they do.
I read an article the other day regarding Toyota's battery plans. They are currently pursuing their own Li-ion battery packs for their hybrids. For obvious reasons they are holding off implementing these batteries until they feel confident in their safety and longevity. At the same time Toyota is also investing heavily in zinc/air battery technology. If this pans out it could potentially deliver 3X the energy density of the best Li-ion batteries.
Tata and Chrysler sign deal to import electric Ace
Chrysler's Global Electric Motorcars division (GEM) is working with Tata to import fully-assembled vehicles that meet all the appropriate U.S. regulations. The battery-operated Ace has successfully navigated the required safety tests, and they're reportedly ready for production. Tata wants to eventually export up to 50,000 vehicles to the US, but they've pegged the goal for 2008 at 10,000 units. This is definitely the year to keep an eye on Tata.
Absolutely. I look at the options being discussed, and think some combination of HEV/PHEV/EVs it the only option we have for the next 10+ years as an add-on to ICEs. The massive expenditures on hydrogen aren't going to yield anything in that time period, if ever. We already have the distribution system up, running, and tested for PHEV/EVs, unlike hydrogen. Yes, there will be some capacity constraints, but we know how to build power plants.
Does that big box in the back house the batteries? :shades:
I just wonder what kind of range they have. I imagine with lead acid somewhere in the 25 mile range. It would work for me if it was legal. I can live with 25 MPH running my errands. The problem is the roads are all narrow and 45-50 MPH posted. Most places you cannot pass the bike riders without crossing the double yellow lines. I can imagine getting a few folks miffed at me plugging along at 25 MPH. The nursery I use is only 6 miles and all the stores we shop at most of the time are only 3 miles.
For hybrid owners with more money than sense
http://a123systems.com
It's finally happening in San Diego. Let's hope it's a trend which catches on !!!
UCSD Solarizes outside parking
UCSD is a sunny campus, and they’re taking advantage of it. As a way to capture more renewable energy, they’ve planted Solar Trees on the roofs of two parking garages. The trees shade vehicles and soak up sun.
I am starting to get frustrated that most parking lots and structures don’t already have these – how absolutely perfect are they? Everyone wants to park in the shade or in a sheltered spot, and businesses can always use the extra energy.
Anyway, the trees also provide outlets so that students and faculty with plug-in hybrids and EVs can utilize the energy collected, which is a serious incentive for people who are considering buying hybrids free energy? Yes, please.
The best part for UCSD is that the trees were covered by three local companies, so the university is billed monthly for the electricity received, but didn’t have to provide any initial investment.
The solar trees are intended to be functional as well as look cool, with "trunks" and "branches." This kind of biomimicry is beginning to grow, with designers working to blend solar panels into environments in a more natural-ish way.
Each tree can generate more than 17,000 hours of energy annually. This kind of green initiative could be great for a whole lot of other universities. Hopefully they get the green bug and start “planting.”