Hybrids Plus
Encyclopedia
Hybrids Plus was a company devoted to converting
hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) to plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), including vehicle-to-grid
capable PHEVs. Towards the end of its existence, it converted Ford Escape
HEVs to PHEVs by replacing the stock battery with a PHEV battery in the original location (as opposed to augmenting the stock battery with an additional battery, as normally done by other PHEV conversions), and adding a charger and a plug.
to convert a Toyota Prius
for the State of Colorado
. In 2007 Hybrids Plus won a contract with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
, to convert a Ford Escape, and a contract with Xcel Energy
to convert 6 Escapes to V2G capable PHEVs.
In 2007 Hybrids Plus started the development of the "Inverger," a bidirectional charger and inverter for vehicle-to-grid
applications, funded in part by a grant from the State of Colorado, Governor's Energy Office
.
In the summer of 2008, a malfunction due to a manufacturing error in one of its Prius PHEVs conversions resulted in a fire that destroyed the vehicle. As a consequence, Hybrids Plus started a program to examine and upgrade each of the PHEV conversions it had manufactured. Afterward, Hybrids Plus completed only one more Prius PHEV conversion, and then discontinued that product line.
In the fall 0f 2008, A123 contracted Hybrids Plus to recall all of the vehicles it converted, and remove A123's Li-Ion cells.
In April 2009, Hybrids Plus ceased. Its assets were absorbed by Eetrex, a company whose owners include some of the former owners of Hybrids Plus.
Electric vehicle conversion
An electric vehicle conversion is the modification of a conventional internal combustion engine vehicle to electric propulsion, creating an all-electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle.-Elements of a conversion:...
hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) to plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), including vehicle-to-grid
Vehicle-to-grid
Vehicle-to-grid describes a system in which plug-in electric vehicles, such as electric cars and plug-in hybrids , communicate with the power grid to sell demand response services by either delivering electricity into the grid or by throttling their charging rate.Vehicle-to-grid can be used with...
capable PHEVs. Towards the end of its existence, it converted Ford Escape
Ford Escape
The Ford Escape is a compact SUV sold by the automaker Ford Motor Company introduced in 2000 as a 2001 model year and priced below the Ford Explorer. Although technically it's a crossover vehicle, it is marketed by Ford as part of its traditional SUV lineup rather than its separate crossover lineup...
HEVs to PHEVs by replacing the stock battery with a PHEV battery in the original location (as opposed to augmenting the stock battery with an additional battery, as normally done by other PHEV conversions), and adding a charger and a plug.
History
The company was founded July, 2006 in Boulder, ColoradoBoulder, Colorado
Boulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of...
to convert a Toyota Prius
Toyota Prius
The Toyota Prius is a full hybrid electric mid-size hatchback, formerly a compact sedan developed and manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation...
for the State of Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
. In 2007 Hybrids Plus won a contract with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority , established in 1975, is a public benefit corporation, located in Albany, New York, with regional offices in NYC, Buffalo, and West Valley....
, to convert a Ford Escape, and a contract with Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy
Xcel Energy, Inc. is a public utility company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, serving customers in Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin. Primary services are electricity and natural gas...
to convert 6 Escapes to V2G capable PHEVs.
In 2007 Hybrids Plus started the development of the "Inverger," a bidirectional charger and inverter for vehicle-to-grid
Vehicle-to-grid
Vehicle-to-grid describes a system in which plug-in electric vehicles, such as electric cars and plug-in hybrids , communicate with the power grid to sell demand response services by either delivering electricity into the grid or by throttling their charging rate.Vehicle-to-grid can be used with...
applications, funded in part by a grant from the State of Colorado, Governor's Energy Office
Governor of Colorado
The Governor of Colorado is the head of the executive branch of Colorado's government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military forces. The governor has a duty to enforce state laws, and the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Colorado General Assembly, to convene the...
.
In the summer of 2008, a malfunction due to a manufacturing error in one of its Prius PHEVs conversions resulted in a fire that destroyed the vehicle. As a consequence, Hybrids Plus started a program to examine and upgrade each of the PHEV conversions it had manufactured. Afterward, Hybrids Plus completed only one more Prius PHEV conversion, and then discontinued that product line.
In the fall 0f 2008, A123 contracted Hybrids Plus to recall all of the vehicles it converted, and remove A123's Li-Ion cells.
In April 2009, Hybrids Plus ceased. Its assets were absorbed by Eetrex, a company whose owners include some of the former owners of Hybrids Plus.
Final work
At the end of its life, Hybrids Plus was:- Fulfilling the A123 contract, by replacing the A123 cells in its conversions with cells from K2 Energy
- Continuing development of the Inverger
- Performing Ford Escape PHEV conversions
External links
- IEEE Spectrum article featuring a PHEV conversion by Hybrids Plus
- AutoBlogGreen article
- NYSERDA program