A GOOD READ! "At an initial 40 mile module installed price of $10,000 supported with a $3500 tax credit, the payback period for a fleet owner with $3.00/gallon gas is 2.5 years, against an expected life of 10 or more years." "there are now over 65 hybrid vehicle launches planned by 2010." This is where they try to limit anyone else from benifiting from the tax credit. "So I would urge you to be sure that any tax incentive applicable to plug-in hybrid consumers of factory originals available some years out, also be applicable to the tested, standardized, nationally marketed through certified installers, plug-in modules offered earlier by qualified companies for the growing millions of regular hybrids that will be on our roads" In other words, only let consumers get the tax credit if they get the plug-in pack from someone who fits all the criteria listed, NAMELY US. Here is the full testimony of David Vieau CEO A123Systems. http://www.finance.senate.gov/hearings/tes...50107testdv.pdf
You know that makes me so mad! Should I start my own company now to retrofit Prius with a plug in pack? I will need people so it can be "nationally marketed through certified installers." Seriously, is anyone with me? I can pre package the Prius Plus and have you certified to install it. We could sell them for $4,000 and the consumer could get back $3,500. The installer would keep $500 for their two to three hours of work. Seriously…anyone? It just makes me so mad when any group tries to capture new technology to fill there greedy pockets, instead of trying to advance and protect our society. :angry:
Re: $3,500 tax credit for a Plug-in upgrade? Sounds like a feasible business idea to me. A few issues tho... Whats the cost of the additional battery? i thought it would run a little more than $3500? Wouldn't this procedure complete void out your 8 year electrical warranty? I think this would be the main concern for anybody and really the only reason i wouldn't do this myself. Im sure there are a few more hurdles out there, lets weed them out.
Re: $3,500 tax credit for a Plug-in upgrade? sounds like a plan to me... but i can't really help. i can do electrical.. but to build a system like that? hehe no I'll help install if you figure out the rest.. and we can at least make something off of it.
Re: $3,500 tax credit for a Plug-in upgrade? Well I am an electronics engineer and would love to convert the Prius to a plug in verison. I also know what your saying about people filling there pockets instead of trying to help the cause with high price gas. Here were trying to get away from paying $3.00 a gallon for gas and these guys are coming out with a prius plug in conversion for 20 to 30 thousand and it only goes 20 to 30 miles before needing to be recharge. Seems like I would have to keep my prius forever in order to finally break even. Well enough ranting.....Let me know what your plans are for your conversion. Thanks Nick
Re: $3,500 tax credit for a Plug-in upgrade? I am hardly bothered. This is the lobbying that occurs daily. If you are a House Member or Senator, you basically ignore it unless the corporation is from your state. The really sad thing is that the A123 idiots have not studied one iota of history. They may be good engineers, but this shows they are lousy businessmen. The government subsidizing a technology (directly or indirectly) ALWAYS results in a fatal dependence upon those subsidies.
Re: $3,500 tax credit for a Plug-in upgrade? what about tax credits for purchasing an EV in 2007? anything for that?
Re: $3,500 tax credit for a Plug-in upgrade? I know this was a somewhat ancient thread, but to just add something, while yes it is a pain when a particular company gets a stranglehold on something (in this case a tax credit) but it's the way things are to help off-set costs. The solar program of california, you get X amount of dollars per kW of panels that you HAVE installed by a reputable contractor, and you get X-Y amount of dollars per kW of panels if you install them yourself. The idea is to off-set the the cost somewhat equally to all, not just get a set amount of cash back because you happen to have some technical know how.
Re: $3,500 tax credit for a Plug-in upgrade? What you are describing is actually quite a different thing. Above is something available to ANYONE who wants to take advantage of it. What A123 is asking for is something that, if they have their way, exclusively gives A CORPORATION an advantage.
