An article in the September 10, 2008 Raleigh News and Observer (newsobserver.com | Cars converted to the future) says that the Advanced Vehicle Research Center in Raleigh is now authorized to install a plug-in battery pack in Priuses. The lithium-ion pack comes from 23 Systems of Massachusetts. Early customers have included both local electric power companies. Advanced Vehicle Research is now authorized to install the pack in privately-owned Prius cars. They are charging $10,400 for the modification, which can be done in one day. See the Advanced Vehicle web site at The Advanced Vehicle Research Center.
This will save people some miles. I just checked the a123 site and they don't show this company. They do show a new one in Denver (I know that SVpriusfan is close to here). Chris
Thanks for sharing. It makes me happy to see our state making news in a positive way. The Charlotte Observer ran a story last weekend about Duke Power working on a program to use customers' rooftops as a solar farm. They're taking steps in the right direction.
Excellent. Is there anyone on this website who thinks they might be interested in this plug-in Li-ion conversion? . That is the REAL solution for the future. Only, it would be better if consumers owned their own panels. (remember those predictions twenty years ago that by 2000, robots would be doing all the work and humans would not have to work anymore? Not having to pay a utility company or gasoline companies would be a positive step in that direction). Hopefully, people who can afford their own panels will lead the way.
Psst. Anybody who can afford their own energy bills should be able to afford their own panels. For the next 30 years, I won't have a gasoline bill for our main vehicle, and I won't have a power bill for the house. How could I NOT afford to put up panels? Oop. Sorry for the OT.
If your state &/or power company has the right incentives, the loan payment for the panels can be LESS than your current electric bill!
hrm.. i wonder how long 10,000 dollars would last me in gas money i figure about 14 years for me.. plug in would be nice, at around 2000 dollars
totally cool!!!!! Yeah!!! I can actually get one installed in a day, and only a 4 hour drive from here.......... Now, all I need is the cash............$$$$$$$
Soooooo close! .... (in distance). And yet, sooooo far .... (in price). Probably about an hour/hour and a half from me. Although obviously I'm not the most pioneering Prius owner.
Man, this would be great since I only live 25 miles from work and would only need to burn around a gallon of gas for commuting each week! Whether or not it is worth the 10,000 would be a much easier answer if I had 10,000 available. Believe me, if I had a shop nearby and the dough, my car would have this ASAP.
It would be nice if they had a range of battery capacities, and you paid for how much you needed. With my short commute, I could get a smaller package and still go all-electric on commutes & short trips around town.
