What is a Plug In Electric Hybrid Vehicle (PHEV)?
A PHEV allows you to drive your car on gas or electricity. It’s like your car has two fuel tanks: one for gas and one for electric energy. You can fill your gas tank at any gas station like you would for a regular car and you can fill your electric tank by plugging your car into a standard electric outlet. Using the electric tank is much less expensive and better for the environment.
How much does it cost?
3Prong Power will install a PHEV kit into your existing Prius for $6,699 at our garage in Berkeley.
How does it work?
2004-2009 Priuses can easily be made to run in electric vehicle or EV mode. In fact, Priuses sold in Europe and Japan come with an EV mode switch installed at the factory. The downside? The factory Prius only has a range of a few blocks. Our PHEV conversion kit includes a significantly larger battery pack that allows for up to 10-12 miles of EV mode range.
10 miles? That’s not much.
Studies have shown that around 30% of US drivers travel less than 10 miles on an average day. If your driving patterns are modest, you will rarely visit a gas station, and if your batteries get depleted, the traditional Prius gas engine becomes your backup system for longer trips.
How soon can I get the upgrade installed?
We are currently taking orders for installations.
Is it safe?
The upgrade adds around 360 pounds to your vehicle. Handling will be a little different. We include a rear suspension upgrade available to minimize the effects of the added vehicle weight.
Does it void my warranty?
The Magneson-Moss Warranty Act
prohibits Toyota from voiding your warranty unless they can show that the conversion damaged your car. 3Prong Power offers an extended warranty on your vehicle's original battery.
I heard that Toyota is coming out with a PHEV. Why don’t I just wait for their product?
Both Toyota and General Motors have announced plans to build PHEV vehicles. General Motors has a target date of November 2010 for their initial PHEV model to be on the road. Toyota has declared that they will only build 400 test vehicles in 2010 with a consumer product to follow based on market research. History has shown that product release dates often slip. At 3Prong Power, we feel this is too long to wait to do something about oil addiction.
What is 3Prong Power Inc?
3Prong Power is a Berkeley startup founded by a solar engineer and a Prius owner. Other successful entrepreneurs have joined the company. Ask us about investment and employment opportunities.
I have more questions. Who do I contact?
Send questions by email to daniel@3prongpower.com