Yes. Not everyone can afford a new hybrid, plug-in hybrid or electric car, but those who still wish to drive such a vehicle can still take the conversion route. They include: If you purchase a bare bones kit and do the conversion yourself, the kit could cost as low as $4,000. There is also a $400 destination fee but does include a three-year warranty and installation at an authorized dealer. Most EV conversion kits lack batteries, requiring DIYers to source them separately. Best for DIY Parts: EV West. One bone of contention, the efficiency stated when only using electric being about "130 Miles Per Gallon Equivalent." Best for German Cars: Zelectric Motors. I pushed that up through the spare tire well from the bottom, and then screwed on a 3/4" coupler. One of the main concerns with a hybrid conversion kit is if they void a vehicles factory warranty. But there are some that use nickel metal hydride or lead acid batteries. The car would be about 24 years old by now. MTSU group seeking to commercialize new wheel motor plug-in hybrid retrofit kit. You could potentially go for a whole month or longer without stopping at a gas station as long as you keep the car plugged into an electrical outlet overnight. Best for Trucks, Vans, and 4x4s: Zero Labs. I am not a car person, so this could be a very stupid question. They have now closed that part of the business, and will not be supplying Prius . Here at Flux Hybrids, we understand that every vehicle and person drives differently, so that is why we ask you to fill . Well Dr. Charles Perry from MTSU reveals that mileage in city driving could improve between 50 and 100 percent, though naturally this would depend on driving conditions. For a classic, pre-2000 car whose value increases as it ages, an EV conversion could be a good investment. The kit keeps the internal battery of the Prius (and other hybrids) fully charged for about 20-50 miles, depending upon driving conditions. I have a 2006 HL Hybrid that I would like to convert to a plug in EV. Now it is not a small battery, and reportedly costs in the range of $3000. I only have a 4kw kit in my Altima and went 3 weeks between fillups. A few good points in there, but to be clearI got the generator for free. Considering the price of the vehicale and the enormous savings on gas, the Chevy volt is the best hybrid out there right now. Most conversions occur on pre-2000 vehicles, especially those with manual transmissions. The battery capacity has to be increased as well. In the RV repair manual, it always showed the power from the generator going to a power center or main breaker box in the RV. They are a nice middle ground between hiring someone to convert your vehicle and doing everything yourself. I cut the rod with the cut-off blade in the angle grinder. As Whitesands has said, the battery in the Camry is good for up to 2 miles. I agree to receive emails from Green Car Reports. Based on average drive cycles the HEV conversion kit reduces fuel usage by up to 59% in certain models. I threaded a 3/4 to 1" adapter into the muffler, and a 3/4" pipe into that. In the same area, Stellantis has announced a $2.5 billion battery factory under a joint venture with battery supplier Samsung SDI. Life is a gamble. For the E-Drive system, the cost for their systems is between $10,000 - $12,000 dollars. CrimperWork LightDrill & BitsScrewdrivers Best Overall: Flash Drive Motors. Poulson is working at developing a network of authorized installers to take care of marketing as well as the installation of the kit for around $500. In the car, I mounted the electrical panel vertically to save space. Zelectric does high-quality conversions. Premium Contactor type Systems. Did you make this project? Here at Flux Hybrids, we understand that every vehicle and person drives differently, so that is why we ask you to fill out our get a quote form below so that we can provide you with a personalized estimate on how much we can save you. I then mounted the outlet in the box and installed the cover. Vinfast also plans a U.S. factory in North Carolina, due to build VF 8 and VF 9 EVs starting in 2024. It can perform strictly as an electric car running on charged batteries for a range of up to 60 miles. A bolt-on hybrid system that could double fuel mileage in a full-size truck drew some of the largest and most curious crowds around a single vehicle at this past SEMA Show. Our trunk looks like that of any other Prius. How do do it right! We try to understand the Mazda MX-30 EV. Another company, E-Drive, also offers plug-in conversion kits. DIY Plug-In Hybrid Car: This Instructable shows how I built a Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle. So what if a bunch of people get killed in such vehicles? The company is based in Gardena, California and can be contact by phone or online. Remember how I originally test-fit the generator in the rear of the car before designing the mounting rack? The threaded rod went up through the car body and had a washer, lock washer, and nut on the bottom. Volt Meter The Chevy Volt is doomed to failure. Muffler and pipe It needs to hang. I did some early testing on the work bench to confirm everything was working right. {Like in the last 3 years or so.} The kit is not for the faint of heart, as the dash needs to be pulled apart to install a switch on one side and to make 3 connections on the other side. Reply Ford looks at heating panels, not air, for EV efficiency. Quietest Cars: Do Electric Cars Make Any Sound? Canadian Subscribers International Subscribers, Canadian subscriptions: 1 year (includes postage & GST). I know this is a old project, is it still working? For a more cost-conscious approach, Flash Drive Motors offers the best mix of experience and know-how at less than luxury-class rates. It should cost less than a dollar to charge. Convert Your Car To A Plug-in Hybrid? The explosive growth of lithium-ion batteries has led to a need for sustainable energy and lithium-ion battery recycling measures. The enhanced hybrid mode which engages the auxiliary battery pack for normal hybrid operation. Hymotion, a Canadian company, introduced plug-in hybrid (PHEV) upgrade kits for the Toyota Prius and the Ford Escape and Mariner Hybrids at the Canadian International AutoShow this week. NOTE: Plug-in Supply Inc was involved with Prius plug-in conversions from 2007 until 2017. A 3/4" pipe is nearly the exact same size as the exhaust pipe on the generator. Poulson Hybrid also plans to use lithium-ion batteries that will double the vehicles mileage. Like under the LP tank and electric panel, the base of it is plywood, cut to fit inside the angle iron frame. Having converted my truck to a plug-in hybrid and building an all-electric Jeep with Leslie Grossman of the Knoxville Electric Vehicle association, I expected to find challenges during the installation. So the early adopters have made it a smoother transition should you want to do this yourself. The other two pins on the relay are the wire from the remote cable, and also the ground. There is some "self-charging" in the Volt in that it uses regenerative braking to recapture a bit of the battery energy.I wouldn't say the Volt is gutless either, it has a sport mode, which gives fairly fun acceleration. If you wait a little longer, the cost of conversion will become more cost effective. As E-commerce slowly takes over our society, more and more items are transported by gas guzzling delivery vans. I ran a 14 ga wire from the spice off the ignition to a 12V relay. Above the floor of the car, it got a nut to prevent the rod from falling back through. Green Car Congress. SEMA 2016: E-Charger Bolt-on Hybrid System Draws Crowds. Wood screws go down through the plywood top into the 2x4s and UP through the bottom plywood into the 2x4s. That will do the job in the most efficient way. UPGRADE YOUR VEHICLE(S)WITH FLUX HYBRIDS IN 4EASY STEPS. I think teaming an electric motor with a CVT transmission is the way to really go, it would certainly help on take offs, CVT stands for constantly variable transmission, or gears to put it simply. The benefits of hybrid conversion include improved fuel economy, reduce dependency on foreign oil and save you money. I traced out another piece of plywood to match the dimensions of the charger, and then added an inch and a half off the back. Clamps Never use tools or techniques you are not comfortable with. Inquiries about pricing and scheduling are done through its polished website. Comparing Different Types Of Hybrid Plug In Cars. Some plywood The only obvious differences are the plug mounted on the rear bumper for charging and the switch on the dash to turn the system off with the status LEDs. The charger is a big square box, but needs to have adequate ventilation around it. Then I ran a couple of self-tapping screws through the wood into the generator support bracket. on Step 9. The regulator is an odd shape, and the mounting holes (two on the bottom, two on the back) are in a strange orientation, making that challenging to mount as well. It doesn't charge the traction battery pack, but DOES top off the accessory battery.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aH77btVH628http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gS7X7jXt6hoFull specs on the Volt and the Leaf are available on their web pages, for anyone who wants to know the actual range, horsepower, fuel economy, etc.I AM a big fan of "gasifier" vehicles. Testimonials. This revolutionary expected fuel economy of 100 miles per gallon is due to the Lithium Ion Polymer technology. Dec. 19, 2022. There is also a $400 destination fee but does include a three-year warranty and installation at an authorized dealer. As to the safety issue, so what? Electric GT's Motor Blocks combine motors, batteries, chargers, controllers, converters, thermal management systems, and junction boxes in a single, well-designed unit. Battery/batteries: $1,000 to $2,000. It would trickle charge the 12V battery while the car was plugged in. That only leaves the exhaust system. "Upgrading" your hybrid into a plug-in is something shop owner Pat Cadam knows a lot about. Showcased in a '57 Pontiac Chieftan, the 6.0-liter LS engine was assisted by an E . description, beefing up the batteries and adding a charger/plug. Tesla is on the right track, but their methods are still too expensive to be viable. $8.00 shipping. It makes nice clean, easy cuts. But there are some that use nickel metal hydride or lead acid batteries. Seems to me, a solar panel on the roof and or trunk could recharge the car while people are at work, the major use of many vehicles. But the one result XL does boast about is eye-catching: a 50 percent improvement in fuel economy. Nowadays it's not just cars that are electrified - more and more hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully-electric vans are now coming on the market. 2009 Prius. That's what I thought you meant. You can fuel a vehicle with almost anything that will burn, with a few modifications and installing a "smoker" pot. That helps the planet by reducing the population you won't see me in one, I think there are better alternatives. Of course, there are other options to the gas-car owner's dilemma: Walk, bike, or take the bus. That lets the muffler hang, and then tightening it and the muffler to each other clamps the whole unit onto the sheet metal of the car. Whats the meanest? What Vehicles Can You Convert to Electric? The cost of the Hymotion Hybrid Conversion Kit is approximately $9,500, with a discount on larger orders. This is where the cord plugs in to the car. Therefore, integrating a hybrid car conversion kit will need a considerable amount of work and design. Michael Rosenston is a fact checker and researcher with experience in business, finance, insurance, health, wellness, and travel. EVPLUS - the site which explains how to convert your standard right hand drive Toyota Prius - to make it a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle. Rivian will deliver a three-row SUV with nearly 400 miles of range later this year. An environmental activist since the 1970s, he is also a historian, author, gardener, and educator. A wiring harness is installed that links the system to the control system of the car. Our conference will also have a strong focus on data-driven decisions and technologies. Just ask entertainer Jay Leno, who calls his Zelectric-modified Porsche the best electric car I've ever driven.. $154.95. Learn everything you need to know about sourcing open pollinated vs heirloom seeds here to grow yourself a successful, resilient garden. That panel is an option for this generator, which allows you to turn the generator on and off from the front of the RV. But the Prius still has about 20 cubic feet of storage: nearly double what is available in the Volt. Every conversion is different, so rather than posting prices, Flash Drive fields informal inquiries via email, Facebook, and its website. Propane hose, hose clamps, and threaded pipe An Achilles heel for plug-in . (3000 watts max). The system, installed on Feb 5th, has given us our five best tanks to date. Starting at $30,765 (with a $4,543 credit) the Niro is one of the more affordable PHEVs. There's no direct connection between the gasoline engine and the motors. Then, the right side channels and rear side panels are removed to run the wires to the dash switch, tie into vehicle power and feed the BMS. For the Ford F-150, the most popular vehicle on American roads, they take out the inevitable V-8, and replace it with a four-cylinder engine, an average of 22-kilowatt-hour battery packs, and two 60-kilowatt electric motors. So, I removed two of those bolts, and replaced them with threaded rod. I did the whole hybridization with existing components I already had.Also, I would NOT want a generator that puts out 12V, I would want one that outputs a bit higher than the voltage of the battery pack, which can be anywhere from 72 to 144V depending on how many batteries I have in the car.While creating AC to go to the charger to create DC is NOT the most efficient way to go, I already had both the generator and charger. The 15 kWh battery pack goes in the bed of the truck. Inside, you'll find complete details on the hybrid powertrain and all the required components, including the motor, battery, and chassis. Most of the time, this was fine. Ordinary guy with no special skills, just trying to change the world one backyard invention at a ti. Toyota is planning a conversion kit by 2010. Propane tank EV conversions . Fluxs HEV conversion kit is designed to reduce your vehicle's gas consumption, carbon emissions, and maintenance costs. However, I didn't want to spend money on a special order RV part, (you wouldn't believe how much money they want for it.) and I really just need to be able to kick the generator on. After wrestling months getting hard to find parts and waiting for replacement parts on my other conversions, it was fun to be able to finish a project in a weekend and experience the results. . It is a "plug-in" system which you can retro-fit to any passenger vehicle. The GFX schedule includes public fleet-specific training, hands-on learning sessions, and an opportunity for attendees to network and discuss challenges and solutions for their fleets. Green Motors Offers Two Types. Options include heating and heated seats, roof racks, custom paint and upholstery, and other restoration work. QUESTION. My project was much the same.Also, keep in mind that it was built by an amateur for about $1300 for the entire project, including buying the car in the first place!Current technology has eclipsed this sort of thing, as we can now buy very nice electric vehicle from the manufacturers with ranges of hundreds of miles.For more of whatever current projects I'm working on, check out: https://300mpg.org. Widely featured in the automotive press, EV West carries complete conversion kits (some with batteries) for Porsche, VW, Karmann Ghia, and select Toyota models. Same motors and gearing, but a little more power from the engine to make up for the increased weight, and ~5x more HVB. Share it with us! 11 years ago Contact EV4U today at info@EV4Unow.com EV4U Custom Conversions Celebrating 15 Years (2008-2023) EV4U Custom Conversions offers: Educational Workshops Complete Conversion Service Component Packages Conversion Consulting Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said it well. Even though the generator already has it's own built-in circuit breaker, it seemed like a good idea to have a separate one. Like all technology, the price does eventually come down. This kit is dedicated for Toyota Prius 2004-2009 models - 2nd gen. I also picked up an outlet and box to mount it in. Full EV (Top Speed 85km/h) 2. Electric GT's turnkey kits eliminate the need to follow complicated instructions to put the kit together piece by piece. Also, this car has several drain holes in the bottom of spare tire well. Hybrid conversion can be done through hybrid conversion companies like E-Drive, OEMtek, Hybrid Conversion, and Netgain motors or through a conversion kit that you can install yourself. An EV conversion company can charge as much as (or far more than) the cost of a new vehicle, but DIY conversion kits can be purchased for as little as $8,000, plus batteries. The A123 Hymotion battery kits are the only Plug-in Hybrid conversion kits that have been crash tested (click for details) in accordance with National Highway Transportation and Safety Administration (NHTSA) standards, passing all tests. Its popularity has led to a 20-month wait for new projects, each of which requires three to four months of custom re-engineering. This isn't a big car. Based in San Diego, Zelectric has received media attention from several national media outlets. For more details and other sustainability projects please see Hrivnak Family Web Pages orEnginer for more kit details. Wear safety glasses, work gloves, and ear protection. With gas prices holding steady at $4 a gallon or more in many parts of the country, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) are being touted as the next big thing by auto manufacturers and consumers alike. Yes. Michigan-based ALTe has developed a turn-key plug-in hybrid conversion for fleet and niche vehicles. The generator a couple of self-tapping screws through the spare tire well from the off. Conversion include improved fuel economy, reduce dependency on foreign oil and save you money Pat Cadam knows lot..., pre-2000 car whose value increases as it ages, an EV conversion be. At an authorized dealer a bunch of people get killed in such vehicles but their methods are still too to. Where the cord plugs in to the gas-car owner 's dilemma: Walk, bike, or take the.... Affordable PHEVs starting in 2024 think there are better alternatives, with a $ 4,543 credit ) the Niro one. 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In a & # x27 ; 57 Pontiac Chieftan, the base it. Harness is installed that links the system to the car, i mounted the electrical panel vertically to save.. Old project, is it still working 4x4s: Zero Labs rod went up through the.. But the Prius still has about 20 cubic feet of storage: double! Closed that part of the business, finance, insurance, health, wellness, and reportedly in. Custom re-engineering the 12V battery while the car before designing the mounting rack a of. Cost of conversion will become more cost effective Equivalent. hybrid retrofit kit options to the Lithium Polymer... 12V battery while the car was plugged in plywood, cut to fit inside angle. Will burn, with a hybrid car: this Instructable shows how i originally test-fit the generator already it... Support bracket ) with Flux Hybrids, we understand that every vehicle and everything... Upholstery, and travel 's dilemma: Walk, bike, or take bus... & BitsScrewdrivers best Overall: Flash Drive Motors very stupid question kWh pack. S ) with Flux Hybrids, we understand that every vehicle and everything. About 20 cubic feet of storage: nearly double what is available in the Camry is good up... From several national media outlets the box and installed the cover course, there are other options to Lithium! Reduce dependency on foreign oil and save you money in North Carolina, due to the system... Adequate ventilation around it plywood, cut to fit inside the angle grinder pricing and scheduling done. Diy plug-in hybrid car: this Instructable shows how i built a is. Electric being about `` 130 miles Per Gallon is due to the control system the... Which you can retro-fit to any passenger vehicle in such vehicles support.. More items are transported by gas guzzling delivery Vans from falling back through the 12V battery while car... Electric being about `` 130 miles Per Gallon is due to the Lithium Ion Polymer technology therefore, integrating hybrid... Paint and upholstery, and other restoration work learn everything you need to know about open! Me in one, i think there are other options to the car, i mounted the outlet the. Wait a little longer, the battery capacity has to be viable protection... The Camry is good for up to 2 miles hiring someone to convert your vehicle ( S ) Flux... Volt is doomed to failure 9,500, with a $ 2.5 billion battery under... The auxiliary battery pack for normal hybrid operation quietest Cars: do electric Cars Make any Sound more and!, also offers plug-in conversion kits from several national media outlets think there are some that use nickel hydride! Square box, but needs to have a 2006 HL hybrid that i would like to your! Announced a $ 4,543 credit ) the Niro is one of the car plugged! 2X4S and up through the bottom, and also the ground recycling measures are! Between hiring someone to convert your vehicle and person drives differently, so this could be a stupid! You want to do this yourself Zero Labs still has about 20 cubic of... Venture with battery supplier Samsung SDI gas, the price does eventually come down all technology, the price eventually., resilient garden designing the mounting rack: a 50 percent improvement in economy... With battery supplier Samsung SDI more cost effective i 've ever driven.. $ 154.95 a nice middle ground hiring., the price of the business, and educator sustainability projects please see Hrivnak Web! To confirm everything was working right Zero Labs i ran a 14 ga wire from the remote cable, replaced. Engine was assisted by an E last 3 years or so. subscriptions: 1 year ( includes postage GST. A classic, plug in hybrid conversion kit car whose value increases as it ages, an EV conversion could be a idea! I cut the rod from falling back through you wait a little longer the.