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Current Prius-C PHEV Options, What's out there?

Discussion in 'Prius c Accessories and Modifications' started by Decep-Qi-Kons, Apr 20, 2021.

  1. Decep-Qi-Kons

    Decep-Qi-Kons New Member

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    Hey all,

    New to the forum.

    My partner has a Prius-C, I have an old biodiesel truck.

    I am looking to add another (used) Prius-C to our fleet and I wanted to look in to converting it to PHEV.

    Basically, I want a vehicle I can drive 50 miles on a charge, or infinitely with fuel stations.

    I understand the main problem with the C is its firmware limits the EV mode to 25MPH.

    But judging from the forum, this question hasn't been asked in 7 years.

    What's out there, now?

    And before I get asked, yes, I know there are PHEV Priuses (Prii? Priopedes?).

    As a green energy nerd, I know the keep to decreasing the carbon footprint of a car comes down to mass. If I want to ensure that my PHEV is good for the environment, I know that I must reduce the mass of my car because that means more range out of a charge AND less waste from manufacturing.

    A Tesla's battery costs 11-tons of CO2 to manufacture, by CONSERVATIVE estimates. A small PHEV can have a much smaller carbon foot print than a full EV if used properly.

    Noone...NOOOONEEEE make small PHEVs. So DIY or DIE! ;-)
     
    #1 Decep-Qi-Kons, Apr 20, 2021
  2. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    The best brief explanation I can give you is that the Prius (many models including the c) gain a substantial portion of their overall efficiency from the harmonization of the major components.

    In other words, if you want to change any part of the powertrain, be prepared to make adjustments to almost every other part of it at the same time to compensate for the change you make in order to preserve the benefits of the full orchestrated plant.

    A bigger limit is the range of the transmission. As your speed increases, the speed of motor-generator #1 increases. MG1 will hit its redline long before the car is up to highway speed. Normally this is handled by starting the engine and revving it up, which directly moderates the ratio between the wheels and MG1. You don't want to start the engine. That will be a serious limit in a PHEV conversion.

    The Prius prime handles this by adding a trick clutch to decouple 1/3 of the power split device- that way the engine does not have to spin or start.

    Almost nobody is making small gasburner cars either. Lots of them quietly trimmed from the showrooms in the past 2 years.
     
    #2 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Apr 20, 2021
  3. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Honestly if you want to make a small PHEV, the simplest way I can think to do it is to start with a much simpler car. Get something like a Hyundai Accent or Scion hatchback. Something that burns gas and is front wheel drive, and can be kicked into neutral and pushed around.

    Add your battery, do a powered rear axle, add an electric vacuum pump for the brake system and then set up your own controls.
     
    #3 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Apr 20, 2021
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    nothing out there but space junk
     
    #4 bisco, Apr 21, 2021
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