PHEV conversion modifications I would like to know the general opinion of Prius owners/users about a necessary modification if your car were to be converted to PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) use. In order to extend the drive range in electric mode is necessary the addition of extra batteries inside the car. Being that these batteries require a permanent installation of an enclosure or box to be contained in, my question is : Witch part of the car are you willing to sacrifice in order to have the container installed? A ) In the Small rear seat, loosing complete use of it. B ) Behind the fold down rear back rest, the container will be placed right above the floor. Full access to hidden cargo area with emergency tools and access to Spare Tire. Partial use of total cargo area. C ) In the hidden cargo area under the fold-up floor, loosing access to Spare Tire. Full access and use of cargo area. Right side means = passenger side Please, your comments are always welcome while on topic of this thread, thank you.
I have a dog, so taking up the back seat isn't an option for me... I occasionally needs to load large objects into the car so behind the folding rear seat wouldn't work so well unless the pack is easily removed from the car when it is not needed (long drives where extra batteries are just dead weight because they only last 20 or so miles, and when large objects need to be hauled). So, under the floor compartment would be best option for me. I don't like losing access to spare tire though, it might be possibe to cut out the spare tire well from the bottom of the car and weld up a flat plate under the battery box under the floor and hang the spare tire from underneath like a pickup. Maybe make some paneling or have BT (they made the replacement panel for under the front bumper right?) make one to keep up the aerodynamics under the car (of course it would be easily removable to have access to the spare tire). I personally don't know that I would want the charging plug to be on the rear bumper... I like the way those guys in Colorado with Plug-in Hybrids where they mold the plug into the license plate light next to the hatch handle. I REALLY like how they dis-assemble your stock battery pack and reinstall with A123 batteries and it fits back in stock location with little modification at all along with the little LED's that mount in the blank next to the EV button.
I like the idea of having the cargo area free. Also would like to have the batteries container in a removable form, some times may be necessary not to have that extra dead weight. How about not having a plug on the outside? Nice poll
Re: PHEV conversion modifications Do you have any pics of the plug being molded to the license plate light area?
I prefer under the cargo floor above the spare tire. Ideally, the kit would be mounted so it could be raised to access the spare. Currently I have mine in this location but removed the spare and replaced it with a 12 Volt air compressor and plug kit in the cargo area. Btw, I have three car seats in the rear seat.
why can't the batteries go where the spare is and put the spare on top of them? then, they can reconfigure the platform of the hatch area to accomodate the whole mess so it looks flat.
