2012 Toyota Prius Plug In modifications

I'd like to have extended range too but even if it were possible, where would you put it? We've already lost the spare tire because the battery is so big. Then, considering battery management is computer controlled, how would someone change the code to handle the 2nd battery? So to be practical I would just like to find someone who could rebuild the battery to get the original 13 or so mile range back.

 

How much has your range dropped?

 

any dealer will be happy to mod you into a new prime, triple your range

 

Hey there, I don't know them directly but there is a fellow in the San Francisco area (from the last time I knew about it) who is really into this. I don't know anyone in SOCAL but there has got to be. Either way, if you contact Steve from Autobeyours - based in southern Indiana - he knows pretty much everybody in this field and he's super trustworthy and a veritable rock star. He won't steer you wrong.

I hope this was helpful.

 

The best thing would be to buy a prime that has better range, adding another battery is expensive, complicated, and usually no cost effective, and you will loose the space in the back. If for whatever reason you really need more range you can always buy a ego battery bank/generator and connect the charger to it to charge the car.

 

does it have a windmill?

 

I'm getting a little over 7 miles. But that gets me to the local Walmarts and Ace hardware and others. Still loving my Prius!

 

Hey that's great. I had no idea anyone was working on the lithium ion batteries used in the plugin. Any info or links would be much appreciated. I bought mine to last and the nightmare would be to have a perfectly good car junked because the $10,000 battery went bad. I live in Orlando but the car usually stays out of the sun in the carport.

 

Thanks very much for the info. I'll look up Steve and Autobeyours. Amazing there is always someone who can do what I thought was impossible.

 

can you point us to one of the 'many companies that do it'?

 

Quoting a post, then replying in a separate post is very confusing...

 

What's confusing me is that you are talking about nickle metal hydride battery replacements for the Prius while the Prius Plugin uses a $10,000 lithium ion battery. So you are wanting to add the much smaller nickle hydride battery in addition to the lithium ion battery you already have? Sounds like a nightmare but good luck with that!

 

Yes, I'm not aware of any third parties providing reconditioning or similar services for Gen 1 Prius Plug-in traction batteries. I think the more important factor is they're not failing in any large amounts - not that anyone here is aware of - so there is no precedent for such a service. It's a totally different battery and chemistry to standard Prius traction batteries.

And resetting the ECU so it displays a greater range estimate is nothing but a placebo IMO.