1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Hybrid Battery Upgrade

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by Reloadwin, Oct 29, 2012.

  1. Reloadwin

    Reloadwin New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2012
    1
    0
    0
    Location:
    Ballwin, Missouri
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Hello all. I have tried to search online ext google and here as well. My question is can you upgrade the main Hybrid battery in the Gen II Prius NiMH battery to the Li-ion battery?
     
  2. jadziasman

    jadziasman Prius owner emeritus

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2011
    1,355
    487
    0
    Location:
    District 6
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Short answer, no.

    The main issue is the Gen II battery management system was designed for NiMH. The nickel metal hydride battery is maintained between 40% to 60% charge most of the time.
     
  3. Alice Mya

    Alice Mya Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2012
    42
    5
    0
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    In that case can you upgrade the Gen III prius 2012 battery from NiMH battery to the Li-ion battery?
    Thanks :)
     
  4. jadziasman

    jadziasman Prius owner emeritus

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2011
    1,355
    487
    0
    Location:
    District 6
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
  5. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2010
    5,194
    1,917
    0
    Location:
    Herefordshire England
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    I believe the Auris hybrid in the UK has an Li battery while the US version has Nimh but the control hardware is probably different.
     
  6. maestro8

    maestro8 Nouveau Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2012
    471
    109
    0
    Location:
    nor cal
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    With sufficient time, money and technology, one can upgrade anything to anything else. I have a friend who upgraded a 1969 VW Bug to run on Li-I-Po batteries (see Corbin's Treehouse » Plug Bug).

    Perhaps you're asking "can I simply swap battery packs"? That's been answered... not without swapping the battery management system.

    The question you should be asking is... "how much needs to be swapped?" The answer to that question will take quite a bit of digging to find.
     
  7. veggieranger

    veggieranger Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2011
    37
    9
    0
    Location:
    Peachtree City, GA
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Most of the Lithium chemistry battery options I've seen on a Prius are battery range extenders. There are a few Prii in Atlanta that have systems installed with LiFePO4 battery packs but they don't replace the HV battery pack. They just complement it and extend the battery range of the car.
     
    Data Daedalus likes this.
  8. vertex

    vertex Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2009
    672
    143
    0
    Location:
    new york
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
  9. WaWa

    WaWa Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2012
    29
    15
    0
    Location:
    Brussels, Belgium
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Another short answer: Yes.
    Already one year ago, I upgraded my 2008 Prius II with a 16.5 kWh battery pack. It includes an Orion BMS.
    I have a hard time to remember when I went for the last time to a service station.
    I recently went from Brussels all the way trough France at highway speed and did not have to fill up.
    Kind regards,
    Walter
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,132
    50,049
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i went in early october.:(
     
  11. Needanautomatic

    Needanautomatic New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2014
    2
    0
    0
    Location:
    Dublin Ireland
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
     
  12. Needanautomatic

    Needanautomatic New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 4, 2014
    2
    0
    0
    Location:
    Dublin Ireland
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Hi Wa Wa,
    I am just wondering what system you upgraded to and what it cost? Thanks
     
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,132
    50,049
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    the 'buy all your parts independently and figure it out yourself' system. parts cost = $10,000. :)
     
  14. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2013
    3,901
    1,338
    1
    Location:
    NY
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    here is a price list from one shop that does those types of upgrades

    Gen 2 Prius (2004 - 2009)
    4kwh Pro MPLG*
    $9,750 Installed (around $4,000 after tax rebate for CO residents)
    Up to 15 miles all EV range around town
    Top speed over 50mph in EV mode
    100MPG in blended mode for 20-30 miles per charge
    Spare tire accessible

    Gen 2 Prius (2004-2009)
    10kwh Pro MPLG*
    $12,250 Installed (around $7,000 after tax rebate for CO residents)
    Works on any Gen2 Prius, even high mileage cars with Hybrid battery “worn out”
    Up to 20-40 miles all EV range around town
    Top speed over 50mph in EV mode
    100MPG in blended mode for 60-80 miles per charge
    Includes rear suspension upgrade
    Optimized regen capture for mountain decents

    source
    Upgrades | Boulder Hybrids
     
    #14 vvillovv, Nov 4, 2014
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2014
  15. Christian_cool

    Christian_cool Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2014
    92
    17
    0
    Location:
    Germany
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Sounds interesting, where did you have your car upgraded? its because i live in Germany, and how much did it cost?
    i have the Gen III maybe its possible to do the same upgrade on this model, do you know if its possible?

    thanks :)
     
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,132
    50,049
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    he did it himself. with a friend.
     
  17. WaWa

    WaWa Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2012
    29
    15
    0
    Location:
    Brussels, Belgium
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Bisco is right. It is a D.I.Y.- system assambled in Eindhoven. Parts alone: € 10.000.

    It transformed my 2008 Prius to a flying carpet.

    Where are you living in Germany?

    Friday I drive to Heidelberg.

    regards frm Brussels.
     
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,132
    50,049
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    if you click on wawa's avatar, you can go to his home page and find his thread on installation, it's fascinating.
     
    Christian_cool likes this.
  19. WaWa

    WaWa Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2012
    29
    15
    0
    Location:
    Brussels, Belgium
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Also this: wheter or not it is possible on the P3 depends on Orion = the BMS maker.
     
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,132
    50,049
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    fyi, there is a new comer today posting chinese diy complete 4 kWh kit for gen III. $3,800. eric dong is the member.
     
    Christian_cool likes this.