Twitter headlines« Governors Protest NHTSA CAFE Rules Over GHG, Threaten Lawsuit | Main | Texas Governor Requests EPA Cut Renewable Fuel Standard Requirements in Half Due to Grain Costs »
A123Systems Launches Hymotion PHEV Conversion Module for Prius
26 April 2008
 |
| EPA Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS) test results for an L5-equipped Prius. The heavy gray lines show when the engine is in operation. Click to enlarge. |
A123Systems has fully launched the Hymotion L5 plug-in hybrid module designed to convert a Toyota Prius, model years 2004 – 2008, into a plug-in hybrid capable of achieving up to 100 mpg for 30-40 miles within the electrically assisted driving range. A123Systems acquired Hymotion in February 2007. (Earlier post.)
The 5 kWh L5 Plug-in Conversion Module (PCM) is priced at $9,995, which includes a three-year standard warranty and installation. Currently, Hymotion is only conducting L5 installations in the United States through Certified Hymotion Installation Partners (Green CHIP dealers). Canadian vehicles can be brought to US installation locations.
 |
| The A123Systems Hymotion L5 Plug-in Conversion Module (PCM) for the Prius. Click to enlarge. |
A123Systems is currently establishing and certifying its CHIP dealer network in cities around the country. Initial Green CHIP dealers will be located in Boston, Washington, DC, Minneapolis, Seattle, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
In April 2008, in the absence of established PHEV certification procedures, the California Air Resources Board (ARB) outlined a path for conditional approval for A123Systems to sell up to 500 L5 PCMs in California as a means of initiating the rollout. The company is now in the process of finalizing that approval.
A123Systems and others are working with ARB to establish full certification procedures for PHEVs. Once those procedures are final, there would be no restriction on quantities sold (assuming the L5 meets certification).
The L5 module fits in the spare wheel well of the Prius, preserving trunk space.
April 26, 2008 in Conversions, Plug-ins | Permalink | Comments (35) | TrackBack (0)
Comments
Yup, not only is the motor good for acceleration from stop lights, it is good for acceleration when passing on the highway. Most hybrids do not allow much of this, but it you have the capacity and/or a turbo alternator and/or waste heat vapor turbine alternator, you have the energy on tap to do just that.
Posted by: SJC | April 28, 2008 at 09:14 PM
I can see from the graphs that the ICE starts immediately, just as the stock Prius. And the electric-only maximum speed of 30 mph is equals to that of a stock Prius. For me this makes electric-only trips impossible.
One of the main reasons for buying a PHEV is reducing the number of cold starts. Cold starts are BAD. I would never pay extra for a PHEV that could not do electric-only trips.
Posted by: Anne | April 29, 2008 at 10:03 AM
Save your math and sign me up! I've been waiting way to long.
I'm also going to buy a Th!nk or Volt at the first possible chance.
Posted by: | April 29, 2008 at 03:00 PM
All that, and probably more, is going to be available in the new Prius IV PHEV (2010/11?) for and extra $3K to $5K.
If Toyota will not do it, others (like BYD China or Sonata Korea) will.
Until then, the current Prius or the improved model coming out in January 2009 is one of the best all around proven/reliable solution.
Posted by: Harvey D | April 30, 2008 at 08:56 AM
With a ton of new "electric only" vehicles coming out (and you don't already own a Prius) you might as well buy an all electric vehicle like the Phoenix SUV and not fool with the conversion.
Posted by: | May 26, 2008 at 01:49 PM
I signed up for Hymotion L5 for my 05 Prius and expect a Los Angeles install this fall or winter. I already get 46 MPG average and own solar panels that completely offset my electric bill (we installed extra capacity). With Hymotion, I'll be powering our Prius PHEV with the sun. It would be interesting to know the cost savings and CO2 reduction on this combo.
Posted by: Mel Boynton | May 29, 2008 at 09:02 AM
Or you cant just do this for the feel good that if you only travel 20 miles a day that you're not sending money outside of the country.
Posted by: Eric | May 31, 2008 at 05:35 PM
A complete conversion kit is available on ebay for under $2000
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200344551230
Posted by: J Chen | May 21, 2009 at 10:10 PM
A complete, affordable LiFePO4 PHEV conversion kit is now available from Egniner under $2000.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=200344551230
Posted by: J Chen | June 04, 2009 at 10:18 AM
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d8341c4fbe53ef00e55213f8f28834
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference A123Systems Launches Hymotion PHEV Conversion Module for Prius:
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | April 28, 2008 at 08:59 PM