Enginer plug in hybrid kits coming to the market

Right Lane Cruiser · #1 08-20-2009, 07:06 AM

Start ups continue to challenge car makers to embrace the benefits of PHEVs.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/Hymotion_PHEV.jpg

Nicolas Zart - EXAMINER - August 19, 2009

The more we can avoid oil usage, the better! --Ed.

Enginer has an affordable solution for those eager to convert their hybrids, HEV into a plug-in hybrid, PHEV. If the price is right, it can make sense.

The gist is that more and more, kits designed to help you squeeze more mileage from your HEVs are being made available. Startups are filling the hybrid-to-plug-in-hybrid car segment market gap with ingenious PHEV conversion kits. While some will take a few years to recoup on the initial investment, others offer less performance at a more affordable price. Enginer, a joint ventured with Australian-Chinese owned manufacturers, developed a PHEV kit that should make your vehicle achieve 100 miles per gallons, MPG. Enginer, whom we met at the Plug In 2009 are converting hybrids by adding extra batteries to increase the vehicle's range.

Technically Speaking. The company has two battery packs to chose ranging from a 2 kWh one at $1995 and a 4 kWh for $2995. The kits can be installed by individuals but I HIGHLY recommend having a professional take care of it. Did I make the point clear? According to the website, the system can be installed by a professional in 2-4 hours.

Jack Chen, President of Automation Tech, is Enginer’s exclusive distributor and says he can boost the Prius’ fuel efficiency by 40-100% with his product. Enginer's system looks unobtrusive and does not alter the original car's controls. One point of... [Read More]

Dan · #2 08-20-2009, 10:59 AM

Holy Cow! A 2K PHEV kit. That is insane. Need to find some certified installers

. Not fired up about clamping that high volt lead!

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msirach · #3 08-20-2009, 11:16 AM

They are going to have the kit for the Insight 1 soon and possibly the HCHI.

JusBringIt · #4 08-20-2009, 11:27 AM

I didn't see whether or not the pricing was after the available tax credit. Nonetheless that is better than any turbo kit I've seen! Talk about improving efficiency

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TheForce · #5 08-20-2009, 11:31 AM

The price is before the tax credit.

So far I'm not impressed from what people are reporting. That could change when new data comes in.

Dan · #6 08-20-2009, 11:32 AM

I called the US distributor. Here's the breakdown:

The 2 KWh kit is available for:

Price $1995
Installation $500
Shipping $95
Fee to dispatch installer to your local $250
Group buy discount (100 units) $500 / per unit.

So... Installed in the buyer's zip = $2840. If you travel to the seller's zip (48084) you can get it for of $2495 by saving on dispatch and shipping costs.

For the 4 KWh pack, just add $999 to the pack price above. Shipping and installation is the same.

The price per KWh installed is pretty good ($874).

Ohh but if we weren't in a job crunching recession, I might put it on my Christmas list.

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JusBringIt · #7 08-20-2009, 11:40 AM

So a group buy with one professional installation, notes taken which is then given to the 99other purchasers for self installation...sounds like a steal.

Dan · #8 08-20-2009, 11:48 AM

The Enginer PHEV 4 KW Kit is $3494 installed (if you travel to them). That's $874 per KWh with a 2 yr wrty.

The Hymotion PHEV 5 KW Kit is $10,395 installed. That's $2079 per KWh with a 3 yr wrty.

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Right Lane Cruiser · #9 08-20-2009, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by msirach

They are going to have the kit for the Insight 1 soon and possibly the HCHI.

I'm not convinced that would do any good... unless they have a way to get the car to assist while staying in lean burn?

TheForce · #10 08-20-2009, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Right Lane Cruiser

I'm not convinced that would do any good... unless they have a way to get the car to assist while staying in lean burn?

If you have a really high SOC will it start assisting to burn off the extra charge?

What this pack is doing is charging the stock battery so the Prius has a SOC of 70%-80%. When the SOC gets that high the Prius starts to use more of the battery to get its self down to its happy SOC of 60%.