I am looking for the best options for my conversion and I just wanted to know what others are looking for in a PHEV. I am very hopefull we can get these prices down over the next year if battery production increases.
To be honest, it seems unlikely that most of these options will make it into the next Prius. If they do manage plugin ability, I expect it to be limited to <10 miles. All reliable reports point to the next Prius being an incremental upgrade to the existing technology
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Screwdriver @ Nov 28 2006, 05:31 PM) [snapback]355003[/snapback]</div> I'm sorry I must not have been clear. This is for an aftermarket Prius conversion of 2004-2007 Prius’ already on the road. These distances are possible right now.
I would and I know the costs are high but I wouldn't mind if, say the new Prius comes out with one and we can join in with this modification (by which I hope the prices would've dropped enough by that time).
Since I've recently paid a premium on the "early adopter" factor of a hybrid, I'm in no hurry to shell out more $$ for an even newer technology. My feeling is that the govt. has to take the next step to make this technology affordable. That may seem like a pipe dream, but I believe there will be increasing pressure on the government as people come to terms with climate change. So as the hybrid is an option on some cars, at some point the plug-in hybrid should also be an option. That's my prediction, anyway. But, yeah, if the conversion was available for $2500, I'd consider it.
The "government" isn't going to do squat to help here, it's contrary to their bottom line. They'll keep handwaving about hydrogen or whatever, while the little people actually get out there and try to do something. But a good way to stuff 10 or 20 KWh of storage into the car is still a headscratcher, not to mention the grid infrastructure issue from thousands of people charging overnight... . _H*
For me the answers are Nanosafe Batteries, with Solar, and Wind power from my roof. I am not a fan of hydrogen and that is just another consumable like gas that the government can tax you on.
For me, it's really a question of both a combined cost and risk. With the hybrid warranty toyota provides with the cars, i'm not ready yet to do my own conversion - the risk of having to pay out the nose for a problem in that area just isn't worth it to me. That being said, if Toyota came out with a PHEV, i'd be waiting in line at the dealer longer than people recently waited in line for their PS 3's or Wii's, assuming the cost wasn't absurdly high. What we should do is stage a country wide action - almost protest like. But instead of protesting, we can storm all of the dealers, set up tents and such and all stand in line with signs saying "Waiting for the plug in Prius". do that for 48 hours or so with lines a couple hundred long and heads will turn
well, i said it before and i'll say it again, give me 30 miles, i'll pay up to $6000 cash right now. i rather Toyota offer it as an option on MY's in the near future, but i will drive anywhere in the western US to get it installed. the only way i would settle for less than 20 miles range is when charging stations become common. because of where i live, that will take years.
