Do you wish to convert your Hybrid in to a plug-in model and charge it up every time you need some by just plugging it in? Then you may have to both wait for it and also spend a bit of cash to ensure that it happens. A123 Systems has created a Web site where Toyota Prius owners can preorder a battery to convert their cars to plug-in hybrids capable of getting well over 100 miles per gallon. The switch from hybrid to plug-in hybrid doesn’t come cheap, though. The battery and installation costs $9,995, plus an extra $400 as destination fee and taxes. The battery, called Hymotion 5, is designed to fit into the spare tire slot underneath the trunk of Prius model years 2004 to 2008.
A123 Systems said the extended-life battery has been tested over 200,000 miles of real life conditions and that it should not void Toyota’s warranty unless it’s directly responsible for a failure. With a plug-in hybrid, a person can boost gas efficiency from about 40 miles per gallon in a Prius to more than 100 miles per gallon depending on what kind of driving you do. If there is a lot of stop and go driving for trips under about 30 miles, the braking system can recharge the battery and substantially cut down on gas use! This means les of charging than normal.
The Hymotion 5 is more a benefit to the environment than it is probably to the user in a short-term basis, but in the long run it is more useful to the consumer as it cut downs enormously on bills. Both by promoting lower costs and lower bills, the new technology offers a very viable alternative to consumers. Now one just wishes that it hits the market soon enough.
