EDrive Systems Launches New Plug-In Hybrid Technology

This is the beginning of the next radical change in the auto business. If this really works as it's supposed to, we could REALLY cut dependence on foreign oil since we can generate electricity many different ways. I have read that the electric companies may be willing to subsidize part of the purchase cost for anyone wanting to do this re-fit since it will help use some of the excess generating capacity they have at night. Myself, I would definitely consider this, though it will probably be available only in California to start.

 

I have a couple of questions for the makers of all plug-in hybrid retrofits. What happens if I never want to plug it in or don’t plug it in for long periods of time? Is the HSD capable of recharging such a large battery or even just keeping it charged? Will my mileage go down because of the extended ICE recharge cycles. Why would I ask such a question? What happens if I take off cross country and won’t be able recharge from the grid say at a hotel I’m staying with that refuses to allow me to use their electricity or they don’t even have outside connections? How many highway miles are needed to recharge such a battery if it takes 8 hours of grid time? Not that I’m gonna do the plug-in retrofit as the image of me keeping an extension cord in my Prius would leave me with some explanations to do. I’ve already had more than enough people ask me where I plug it in (along with the usual, “Where’s the battery?â€).

 

Drash, a plug-in hybrid conversion for the Prius would add weight, which would harm your mileage if you don't plug-in very often. For example, a 500 mile trip in a standard Prius would get maybe 5-10% better gas mileage than a converted car if it hadn't been charged up the night before - but this is only because of the extra weight, not for other reasons.

I don't think you'd have to worry about the engine trying to keep the bigger battery charged. It would be used just like the standard battery, using microcycles of a little bit out to climb a hill and then a little bit in when braking. So no, the engine wouldn't have to expend any more energy charging the bigger pack. I suppose an analogy would be that it's like having a store room where you move in and out boxes as required. The room in the standard Prius is just big enough for the boxes to fit, but a converted Prius has loads more empty space - it does just the same job, moving the same number of boxes but has a lot more room to spare.

But of course the big gains are for those who plug-in regularly. These people would only have to fill up with gas every 1500 miles, or about once every two months!

 

I beg to differ on the weight issue. The new batteries are LiIon, which weigh less than NiMH for the same energy capacity, so for the same weight you could carry more energy. Maybe even the heavy cover plate could come out of there since the batteries are "safe ion" and since I have TPMS, remove the spare tire and wheel, and stop carrying around the hatch cover which I never use.

I'm also back on a workout plan and should be down about 30 more pounds by year's end. ;-)

Nate

 

I have just found this web site. I am in Scotland and have a T4 prius. The idea of the plug in over night charge is very attractive as I am on a green (renewable energy) tariff. Also gas runs around $10 a gallon

Has anyone a costing on the edrive option, and would they like a free trip to Scotland to install?!!

Martin

 

Hi Martin, welcome to the Forum! I'm in Scotland too (Glasgow). I'm afraid this conversion is only very new, so is unlikely to be available over here for a long time. I guess you could ship your car over to California, but even then it would likely be > £15 grand for these early adopter conversions! This price will plummet in the coming years however.

Here's a pic of the batteries installed:



(Taken from here: http://www.calcars.org/priusplusphotos.html)

About 90kg installed.

 

OK. I get the weight issue and the LiIon battery you're looking at is only 80kg heavier than the battery in the Prius now. I read the PriusPlus battery selection criteria and was quite impressed. The major bug I have about this is the relatively short lifetime of the battery pack since Edrive is planning on 75% DoD something Toyota also has a problem with if you read their FAQ. Have you also considered other technologies like HERA's bipolar NiH (http://www.herahydrogen.com/en/products_ni...h2-battery.html)? Yeah I know all about NiH2 batteries as I cut my teeth on them years ago, with their individual Inconel pressurized cells. These are different, low pressure stacked cells, and they still have the same incredible cycle life (I myself tested NiH2 batteries with 44K cycles at 80% DoD). These guys are advertising 3K cycles at 100% DoD and no self discharge. And they are targeting hybrid cars.

 

Any idea what a conversion like this would cost for a 2004-05 Prius? $5k?
$10k? This would REALLY separate out the environmental nellies from the hard core.
Bob

 

My bet would be $15K+ with a LiIon battery. Now that would be the ultimate performance accessory! Personally I'd rather see a more efficient at greater than 2K RPM and more powerful drive motor.