Boulder Hybrid Conversions plug in systems

In December 2010, Boulder Hybrid Conversions installed two plug in conversions in my two Prius'. Here is the information about the systems:

2006 Prius, Barcelona Red
10 kWh system (based on Plug In Supply system)
$12,897.60 before tax credits
$5,607.60 after tax credits
upgraded rear springs to accommodate the extra weight
EV: up to 52 mph, up to 50 miles, zero gas consumed
Blended mode: up to 100 miles, 100+ miles per gallon*
This car is parked in a garage and charged every night.

2005 Prius, Salsa Red Pearl
4 kWh (based on Enginer system)
$5,367.20 before tax credits
$724.20 after tax credits
EV: up to 34 mph, up to 20 miles, zero gas consumed
Blended mode: up to 40 miles, 60-80 miles per gallon*
This car is parked outside and charged when possible.

*depends on outside temperature, how often you plug in, how you drive and how many passengers are in the car

I will post gas mileage information each time the gas tanks are filled.

Google "Boulder Hybrid Conversions" for more information. Tell them you saw this post on priuschat and receive a free cabin air filter ($48.95 value at Toyota dealer) with your paid system installation!

Colorado residents with Prius' registered in Colorado are eligible for the 85% (up to $6000) tax credit in addition to the Federal 10% tax credit for plug in conversions.

 

I actually filled the gas tank for the first time yesterday in the 2006 Prius since the plug in conversion. I didn't really need gas, but wanted to fill the gas tank to start gathering real world data. My posts will include the following information:

2006 Prius
02/20/2011
Current miles: 39864
Trip miles: 391.0
Cost/gallon: $2.999
Gallons: 3.297
Gas cost: $9.89
kWh used: 82.14
Actual MPG: 118.6

 

2005 Prius
02/02/2011
Current miles: 78252
Trip miles: 367.8
Cost/gallon: $2.869
Gallons: 7.460
Gas cost: $21.40
kWh used: 16.42
Actual MPG: 49.3

Mileage is lower due to below zero temperatures here recently.

 

Check out Colorado Income FYI 9: Alternative Fuel Tax Credits. It lists the qualified conversions from Boulder Hybrid Conversions.

 

2005 Prius
03/03/2011
Current miles: 78575
Trip miles: 322.5
Cost/gallon: $3.179
Gallons: 6.850
Gas cost: $21.78
kWh used: 17.15
Actual MPG: 47.1

2006 Prius
03/19/2011
Current miles: 40330
Trip miles: 465.9
Cost/gallon: $3.299
Gallons: 5.242
Gas cost: $17.29
kWh used: 94.27
Actual MPG: 88.9

 

2005 Prius
04/17/2011
Current miles: 78989
Trip miles: 414.2
Cost/gallon: $3.489
Gallons: 8.157
Gas cost: $28.46
kWh used: 19.13
Actual MPG: 50.8

2006 Prius
04/17/2011
Current miles: 40870
Trip miles: 540.2
Cost/gallon: $3.489
Gallons: 4.126
Gas cost: $14.40
kWh used: 83.60
Actual MPG: 130.9

 

2006 Prius
05/07/2011
Current miles: 41327
Trip miles: 456.2
Cost/gallon: $3.639
Gallons: 1.754
Gas cost: $6.38
kWh used: 107
Actual MPG: 260.1

This was accomplished by using the electric mode for all city driving and blended mode on the highway.

 

I wouldn't say that the Enginer based system (4kWh) is "worthless." It is an entry level plug in system that has a good value, but not the EV driving experience than the Plug-In Supply based system (10 kWh), which allows for pure EV driving up to 52 mph. For those of you considering the Hymotion system (5 kWh), the driving experience is similar to the Enginer system with the 34 mph limitation. The Hymotion system is significantly more expensive before and after tax credits than the Enginer system given that there is only a 1 kWh difference. There is a trade off between lower cost and more reliable parts between the two systems. The range of each system varies based on the battery capacity.

Boulder Hybrid Conversions warranties the Enginer based system for three years on parts and labor and the Plug-In supply based system for two years on parts and labor.

 

I have both systems to demonstrate the differences as part of the sales presentation. Unfortunately, as previously mentioned, the 2005 Prius with the Enginer system does not have the ability to be recharged every night like my 2006 Prius since it is parked outside. I am working with the local homeowner's association to have a receptacle installed so that I utilize the Enginer system better. Also, those ~50 mpg readings were during the winter when the temperatures were -10 degrees outside. I'm sure that everyone's Prius' during that time was probably averaging 38-40 mpg. That shows that the Enginer system provided about a 25% increase in fuel efficiency. That's pretty good for a system that wasn't recharged every night in a warm garage.