Lithium ion battery producer A123 Systems has confirmed it is to bring to market a conversion kit that will turn the Toyota Prius into a hybrid plug-in.
The kit will ship in July through the company's Hymotion subsidiary.
The conversion kit, which has to be fitted by a certified installer, will turn the Prius into a vehicle chargeable in four to five hours via a conventional 120v outlet. It uses a Lithium-Ion battery that supplements the car's existing electric motor, enabling it to run for roughly 40 miles as a pure electric vehicle before it resumes its function as an electric hybrid.
Driving an equipped vehicle 11,440 miles each year – which equates to 20-mile each-way commute five times per week, plus 10 miles at the weekend – would require just nine trips to the gas station, said the company, as opposed to 21 trips for a conventional Prius. The equipped vehicle would also get 105 miles to the gallon compared to the Prius' 47 miles.
A123, which is also being considered by General Motors as a supplier of batteries for its Chevy Volt electric vehicle, will sell the conversion kit for $10,000 in the US.
It is currently working with the California Air Resources Board to establish certification guidelines that would allow it to sell an initial 500 units in California. This would constitute a pilot rollout that would pave the way for a consumer launch, the company said.
A123, which says that its batteries have a life of ten years or more, would not comment on why the warranty on the battery and the conversion kit would only last for three years.
US corporate fleets, government departments and Soccer Moms all in the sights of Norwegian electric car firm 25 Apr 2008
GM announces review of much-criticised gas guzzler as part of new strategy designed to meet shift in demand towards low-emission vehicles 04 Jun 2008
GM backs bioethanol as Toyota talks up hybrid plans 14 Jan 2008
The Truth About Toyota campaign accuses Prius manufacturer of opposing strict new US fuel efficiency standards 12 Oct 2007Automaker talks up emission-free fuel cells and congestion-busting robot drivers 10 Jan 2008
Intelligent Energy ramps up funding for R&D and partnerships 04 Jul 2008
Focus on energy savings through fuel efficiency for homes and public and commercial buildings 04 Jul 2008
ActionAid accuses G8 of driving more people into poverty by pursing biofuels and cutting agri-aid 04 Jul 2008
More news
Businesses' new found focus on the environment may be welcome, but according to Conrad MacKerron, it is taking attention away from workers' rights issues – and the credibility of the entire green business movement could be at risk 03 Jul 2008
It may be a year old, but as Dell's Jonathan Perry explains, firms looking to get rid of their old IT kit still need to pay attention to the WEEE directive 02 Jul 2008
Telling customers about your environmental targets is all well and good but, as Paul Thomas argues, they are meaningless if you do not know how they are to be achieved 01 Jul 2008 More in-depth
Post your comment
Send an email to the Business Green editor at feedback@businessgreen.com
