Earthgarage Resources :: Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV)

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Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV)

A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) like a regular hybrid with an extension cord. You can fill it up at the gas station, and you can plug it in to any 120-volt outlet or a charging station. It's like having a second fuel tank that you always use first - only you fill up at home, from a regular outlet, at an equivalent cost of under a buck a gallon.   Think of it as an electric vehicle with a gas backup. If your driving is mostly local, you almost never need to refill the gas. So you'll have a cleaner, cheaper, quieter car for your local travel, and the gas tank is always there should you need to drive longer distances. Source: www.calcars.org

The 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides clean energy grants and a tax credit of $2,500 for PHEVs for the first 200,000 cars sold by a manufacturer. The goal is to incentivize manufacturers to enter into the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle market.

In the past, if you wanted a plug-in hybrid you had to have a conversion system added to a conventional hybrid. However, Toyota just launched their new Prius Plug-In Hybrid, slated to go on sale in 15 launch states early 2012. The Prius Plug-In Hybrid offers an extended pure electric driving range (up to 13 miles on a full charge), before the gas engine kicks in. Finally, a mass produced plug-in hybrid has reached our shores.

3Prong Power

Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, 3Prong Power delivers enhanced Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) conversions for 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation Toyota Prius or Ford Escape.

A123 Systems Hymotion L5 Plug-in Conversion Modules

A123 Systems is one of the world&s leading suppliers of high-power lithium ion batteries designed to deliver a new combination of power, safety and life. The A123 Hymotion L5 Plug-in Conversion Modules are designed to convert Toyota Prius HEVs into PHEVs that can achieve up to 100 mpg for 30-40 miles.

Amberjac Systems

United Kingdom based company has provided conversions in Europe. For Germany, Netherlands, Belgium and other Northern European countries, contact TTD in Delft, Holland.

AMP Electric Vehicles

A Cincinnati, Ohio company converting GM vehicles (Solstice, Sky, Equinox) to EVs

CalCars

The California Cars Initiative is a Palo Alto-based nonprofit startup of entrepreneurs, engineers, environmentalists and consumers promoting 100+MPG plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). We're building demand among highly receptive markets to encourage auto makers to produce 100+MPG "no-sacrifices" high-performance, clean hybrid cars.

EETrex

Energy Efficient Transportation Technologies (formerly Hybrids-Plus) based in Boulder, CO offers lithium-ion conversions of the Toyota Prius and the Escape, for private individuals or for organizations.

Enginer

Sells complete 2kWh and 4kWh lithium battery systems for $1,995 and $3,495 ($1,000 more in CA with a 5-year warranty). This lowest-priced of all conversion options uniquely can be installed in Generation 1 (pre-2004) Priuses as well. Enginer has installer partners and offers do-it-yourself instructions. The Michigan-based company is a consortium between AutomationTech Inc, USA and Australia-owned Enginer Environmentech Ltd., China.

Green Gears

Green Gears helps businesses, institutions, and individuals cut energy costs, energy consumption and carbon emissions. Converting to Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) is a meaningful step toward a future that is both profitable and sustainable.

Hybrid Electric Vehicle Technologies

Converts Ford F-150 pickup trucks. The Chicago, IL based company has one prototype and is seeking fleet and early adopter buyers for the first few dozen conversions at $50,000 (customer provides truck). Its goal is large-volume conversions at $10,000.

Hymotion

Hymotion, Watertown, MA, retrofits the Toyota Prius. Acquired by battery maker A123 Systems www.a123systems.com. Crash-tested Prius conversions can now be ordered for $10,395 from distributors in several cities. Green Gears, Inc. is Hymotion's San Francisco-based distributor/installer. 

Parkpod

Installing smart, economical and user-friendly charging systems from ParkPod simply and cost-effectively converts a customer or employee parking lot into a 'gas station' for electric vehicles (EV's). By doing so the company, the city and the facility will benefit in a multitude of ways.

Plug In Supply

Plug In Supply, San Rafael, CA, sells conversions for the Prius with 10 kwhr useable energy for $11,995. EV-only driving over 50MPH, with a restart required to go faster. Professional installation available from approved installers. Check for products for other hybrids. Components and assemblies are also available for "do-it-yourselfers" and battery packs for converting internal combustion engine vehicles to EVs.

Plug-In Conversions Corp

Plug-In Conversions Corp of Poway, near San Diego, CA converts the Toyota Prius using NiMH batteries from Gold Peak Industries for $12,500. Also available is an option to enable all-electric driving at highway speeds. See website for installer locations.

Prius Plus

CalCars and the Electric Auto Association's PHEV group created this open-source project to bring PHEV conversions to '04-09 Prius owners across the country. Our goal is to enable owners to enlist a local electrician/engineer to convert their cars, initially with lead-acid batteries, for under $6,000 and less than two person-weeks of time. If you're an engineer or an advanced do-it-yourselfer who is comfortable around high voltage batteries and automotive workshops, you can join the discussion and the project.

Re-Involt Technologies

Re-Involt re-manufactures hybrid vehicle battery packs, converts gas engine vehicles to hybrid electric, and installs plug-in kits for hybrid vehicles.

Revolo

KPIT Cummins has developed technology for an intelligent, plug-in parallel hybrid solution for automobiles. This solution would be manufactured through a joint venture (JV) between Bharat Forge Limited and KPIT Cummins Infosystems Limited.