FAQ

What is a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle?
A PHEV is a hybrid vehicle that has been converted by installing an additional storage battery. Using electricity for recharging the battery allows the car to operate more in electric mode and less with the gasoline engine.

How does PHEV technology work?
In the Prius, the vehicle operates much like a normal hybrid, except it can operate in full electric mode at a greater range. The additional battery has more electrical energy available to send to the engine than the original stock hybrid battery alone.

What about performance? Are PHEVs slow?
No. A Toyota Prius, modified with a larger plug-in battery, has essentially the same accelerating power and speed capability of a current hybrid.

What kind of mileage does the PHEV get?
Mileage of 100-plus MPG is possible with the Prius PHEV. First Electric’s 2009 Prius averaged 40-45 mpg prior to the PHEV conversion. The Prius PHEV gets maximum mileage and efficiency when operated in city driving at speeds of 40 miles per hour or less. In other experiences, 75 to 80 mpg is easily attainable if using the Prius PHEV primarily as a “commuter” vehicle with mainly city driving at lower speeds.

How far can a driver travel in electric mode?
The battery will stay charged for about 30-40 miles of driving, depending on driving style and speed. At that point, with the PHEV battery fully discharged, the vehicle operates just like a stock Prius Hybrid.

How does the charging work?
The car is plugged into a normal grounded 110-volt outlet, using a 14-amp extension cord. If fully discharged, the battery takes about five hours to recharge.

How powerful is the battery and how much does it cost to charge?
The PHEV battery is a 5.5 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery. At 10 cents per kilowatt-hour for electricity, a single maximum charge would cost about 50 cents.

How much does a PHEV conversion cost?
There are several companies manufacturing conversion kits. First Electric’s PHEV has a A123 Hymotion conversion package which costs about $10,000.

Where is the battery installed?
The battery is specifically designed for the Prius and is installed in the spare tire wheel well.

How difficult is the installation?
First Electric’s conversion was done by two certified installers from the Automotive Vehicle Research Center and took about four hours.

Why did First Electric decide on this project?
First Electric chose the PHEV to compliment other projects related to green power and energy efficiency currently in place. The PHEV will be used as a teaching tool at various events and presentations throughout First Electric’s service territory.

How long will the batteries last?
We are not sure. That’s part of the study. The standard Prius nickel-cadium battery has proven to have a very long life with little degradation. The lithium-ion battery is similar to the battery technology used in laptop computers - except much larger.

So, are there two battery packs in the Prius PHEV?
Yes, the original Prius hybrid battery, which is located under the back seat, is charged by the vehicle during braking and decelerating. The larger A123 battery can only be charged by plugging it into an electrical outlet.

Are these batteries full of toxic chemicals and precious metals that will end up in a landfill?
Not at all. Every car in the world has a lead-acid battery, the most toxic metal used for batteries. Even with its low value as scrap, the recycling rate for lead-acid batteries is about 98 percent in the United States. PHEVs will use newer types of batteries, with metals that are inherently more valuable than lead. Since the batteries are quite large, the value of the spent battery packs will be such that the recycling rate will approach 100 percent. It is illegal to dispose of these batteries in a landfill, and their value will ensure that is not their fate. (www.pluginamerica.org)

How do I get a PHEV right now?
The only way to get a PHEV is by converting a hybrid vehicle to a PHEV, as First Electric has done. However, several car manufacturers have announced plans to sell plug-in hybrids within the next few years.

How much more will a PHEV cost versus a comparably sized conventional hybrid?
The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) estimates that, with mass production, the cost of a PHEV battery will add $2,000 to $3,000 to the cost of a conventional hybrid. Battery costs are the primary reason for this incremental cost, and battery prices are likely to fall with increased production.

What else is installed in First Electric’s PHEV?
We installed a V2 Green data logger - a device that sends information via a wireless connection to a computer. This allows for routine monitoring of the car’s performance and mileage.