Cheap Plug-In Hybrid Conversion Kits Are Here!

June 18, 2008. OK, well maybe not quite here... but soon! Despite tons of media attention about plug-in hybrids, also known as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles or PHEVs, it’s still not yet possible for an individual consumer to buy one, and only a few have gone to fleets or government agencies. There are of course many at home modifications (or "mods") that people have been doing for awhile, but generally you need to be a mechanic or at least very handy with your electrical skills.

Toyota, the current leader in hybrids, is saying that it will produce a few demonstration plug-ins by 2010, but those will not be available to the public. General Motors got a lot buzz for its PHEV concept, the Chevrolet Volt, at the 2007 North American International Auto Show, and has plans for a plug-in version of the Saturn Vue Green Line—but the company's target dates for putting those vehicles on sale are somewhat fluid. And while DaimlerChrysler has a small fleet of PHEV prototypes, they are built on a large van platform more suitable as a delivery vehicle than for the average family's daily jaunts to work, the supermarket, or soccer practice.

Another item to note is recently, the Department of Energy announced a $30 million grant to Ford, General Motors and General Electric. The DOE's goal is to commercialize plug-in hybrids by 2016. If you can't wait that long, another recent announcement may be encouraging: Hymotion will soon be offering a plug-in hybrid conversion kit for less than $10,000.

A123 Hymotion, reflecting its purchase by battery maker A123 Systems—the company launched its new L5 Plug-In Conversion Module. This supplements the Prius's stock 1.3-kWh nickel-metal-hydride battery pack with a 5-kWh pack based on A123's iron nanophosphate lithium ion cells.