100+MPG Toyota Prius

[MCSL]

The California Cars Initiative (CalCars), a nonprofit group of environmentalists, engineers and other volunteers, is actively recruiting Prius owners and their cars, and other supporters, to create PRIUS+.

If you own an '04-'05 Prius, you know how great your car is. We hope you'll consider joining a unique effort to "soup it up" and then encourage Toyota to come along for the ride.

Together, we can help bring to market an even more efficient car - the first example of the transitional vehicle for the next decade or more. Here's what PRIUS+ does:

- Enables your "EV-only" mode (that blank button to the left of your steering wheel - it works in Asia and Europe)
- Adds batteries, in convenient unused space hidden under the hatchback deck;
- Plugs in: at your option (when it's easy), recharge at night at a 110-volt outlet.

The result? Daily trips at local-street speed in "stealth" (all-electric) mode, plus double the mileage of your 40-50 MPG stock Prius. You'll live a greener life, gas up less often and help the auto industry reduce oil imports and stem climate change.

http://www.calcars.org/priusplus.html

[MCSL]

The New York Times, April 2, 2005:

Ron Gremban and Felix Kramer have modified a Toyota Prius so it can be plugged into a wall outlet. Toyota has spent millions of dollars persuading people that hybrid electric cars like the Prius never need to be plugged in and work just like normal cars. But the idea of making hybrid cars that have the option of being plugged in is supported by a diverse group of interests, from neoconservatives who support greater fuel efficiency to utilities salivating at the chance to supplant oil with electricity.

"I've gotten anywhere from 65 to over 100 miles per gallon," said Mr. Gremban, an engineer at CalCars, a small nonprofit group based in Palo Alto, Calif. EnergyCS, a small company that has collaborated with CalCars, has modified another Prius with more sophisticated batteries; they claim their Prius gets up to 180 mpg and can travel more than 30 miles on battery power.

Fuel cells would require a complete reinvention of the automobile, not to mention the nation's gas stations, and the technology to put them on the road is still a long way from fruition. "We think it's the only way to rekindle interest in electric transportation," said Robert Graham, who manages research into electric vehicles for the [Electric Power] Research Institute."

For power companies, the vehicles would also draw power mostly during off hours which would improve efficiency, because power plants cannot simply shut down at night as demand diminishes. Roger Duncan, a deputy general manager of Austin Energy, said that "it's hard to say what impact it will have on the nation as a whole, but that in regions that use cleaner-than-average power sources, like Austin or California, it would provide a clear emissions benefit.” Mr. Duncan even imagines a day when drivers could be paid to return energy to the grid during times of excessive demand.

[MCSL]

CalCars Technology Lead Ron Gremban, the original PRIUS+ vehicle will be in Palo Alto Saturday:

On April 16, 2005, we will present the first PRIUS+ at the Electric Auto Association Silicon Valley Chapter http://www.becketts.ws/eaa/meetings.htm
meeting, Saturday at 2PM (not the group's usual morning meeting time)
Hewlett-Packard, 3000 Hanover St., building 20 level A, Auditorium in Palo Alto.

We'll also give an update about the international EVS21 event last week in Monaco, where the EnergyCS/Valence Lithium-Ion version of PRIUS+ made a splash.

* If you haven't seen it, we have a new page with 6 photos, including the EnergyCS lithium batteries and the Battery Management System Display Unit mounted on the dashboard at http://www.calcars.org/priusplusphotos.html

* If you haven't read it, see Admiral Woolsey's testimony to the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Government Reform, Subcommittee on Energy and Resources where he talked about PHEVs
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/calcars-news/message/23 -- see also message archive
(message 22 PHEV Gains Momentum: Dec '04 to Early April '05 Milestones is one of my favorites)

* We have finally produced a general-interest flyer (up to now, what we had was oriented to Prius owners), which you can see/download at http://www.calcars.org/calcarsflyer2pages.pdf or from inks from main CalCars pages. It's a page of info and back side quotes plus action items. This was produced in a rush and already needs many changes -- but we're also happy we have it. We'll be blanketing the State Democratic Convention with it next weekend as part of our effort to get people interested in state-level initiatives to promote plug-in hybrids.

[JonathanIT]

I think this is totally fantastic! I've been wanting a Prius for a long time... I drove a first gen Prius a couple years ago for a week and fell in love with the technology. I would love to by a new one and make this conversion. I also would love to buy an old Mercedes Diesel and convert it to a veggie powered "greasel." I just love the idea of avoiding gas stations all together!

--J.

[iateyourcheese]

I think this is totally fantastic! I've been wanting a Prius for a long time... I drove a first gen Prius a couple years ago for a week and fell in love with the technology. I would love to by a new one and make this conversion. I also would love to buy an old Mercedes Diesel and convert it to a veggie powered "greasel." I just love the idea of avoiding gas stations all together!

--J.

Did you see the story this week about used Prius' selling for more than their purchase price since the demand is so high? Wish my 330i was doing that right now instead of sinking like a rock.


Story here: (http://msnbc.msn.com/id/7491706/)

[MCSL]

How would you like to run your car for the equivalent of fifty cents a gallon with much lower emissions? Impossible, right?

Not according to Dr. Andy Frank, Professor of Engineering at University of California at Davis and Felix Kramer of The California Cars Initiative (CalCars). Frank and Kramer are leading a campaign to encourage the development of the "gas-optional" or “plug-in” hybrid (PHEV), which they claim will yield dramatic gains in fuel economy.

Just when the American public is finally starting to understand that you don’t have to plug hybrid cars in, here comes the plug-in hybrid. With the plug-in hybrid, you still will not be required to plug the car in, but you’ll have the option. As a result, drivers will get all the benefits of an electric car, without the biggest drawback: limited range. You'll be able to go all-electric for the 90% of your driving which takes place close to home. When the electric charge runs out, a downsized gas engine kicks in and your car drives like a regular hybrid.

Most hybrid car drivers enjoy keeping the car in all-electric “stealth” mode. Prius and Escape drivers can keep this going when the car is in slow stop-and-go traffic. Plug-ins would extend the stealth mode for the lion’s share of our local driving.
A hybrid gets about twice the fuel economy of a conventional car.
A plug-in hybrid will get about twice the fuel economy of a hybrid.


What are the naysayers saying about plug-in hybrids? And how do Frank and Kramer respond?

Producing power from the grid (to charge the cars) will produce additional emissions.
Response:
What the industry calls "well-to-wheel" emissions (including greenhouse gases) for grid-powered vehicles is far lower than gasoline, even for the national power grid (which is 50% coal). Cars charging off-peak will use power from plants that can't turn off at night. Plus, many parts of the country get most of their power from cleaner sources like natural gas and hydropower. Finally, plug-in hybrids recharged from rooftop photovoltaic (solar panel) systems will be zero emission.

http://www.hybridcars.com/plugin-hybrids.html

[Pinecone]

Funny thing is, they don't talk about the fuel use, pollution, etc of the cost of making and transmitting the electricity.

Typicaly, tree huggers seem to think that electricity grows on trees. Of course it does, if you burn wood to run the power plant. :)

Remember there are internal combustion cars available TODAY that have emissions LOWER than those of the power plant required to make the electricity to run an electric vehcile. So why would I want to go electric?

Oh, and BTW what do you would happen if everybody had an electric car? Where would the extra generating capacity come from?

Or better, we can all switch back to horses, imagine LA freeways with all those horses. :)

[Hercules]

Funny thing is, they don't talk about the fuel use, pollution, etc of the cost of making and transmitting the electricity.

Typicaly, tree huggers seem to think that electricity grows on trees. Of course it does, if you burn wood to run the power plant. :)

Remember there are internal combustion cars available TODAY that have emissions LOWER than those of the power plant required to make the electricity to run an electric vehcile. So why would I want to go electric?

Oh, and BTW what do you would happen if everybody had an electric car? Where would the extra generating capacity come from?

Or better, we can all switch back to horses, imagine LA freeways with all those horses. :)
:stupid:

I'm a bigger fan of the hydrogen combustion concept, since it has good POTENTIAL... I think the resources right now are limited and engineering breakthrus will take time, as they did with the gasoline engine, but I'm convinced that is going to be the model of the future.

The only electric car I would drive is one that has a remote control. I don't like the idea of batteries in a car either. I bought an RX-8 because it's lightweight... imagine tossing in a bunch of batteries so I can get 1/2 the horsepower and 3x the gas mileage. I think I'll stick with my 17-18mpg and enjoy the lightness the car brings.

[Pinecone]

My problem with H2 is where do you get it?

Oil is a energy SOURCE, H2 is an energy TRANSFER. You have to get energy to MAKE H2, then transport it to the location to use it.

[CharlieG]

What we need is the new generation of safe "pebble bed" nuclear reactors....this is the most enviromental solution for power. I think electric would be a great way to go for 75% of driving, plus you get gobs and gobs of low-end torque.

The new hybrid Accord is going to be a grand slam, as will all the other hybrid. And you you what? Despite being flawed technology, they deserve it! Detroit would still be cranking out disc brakes if they could get away with it. (They are still selling pushrod engines and solid rear axles, for crying out loud)

[AJAX]

What we need is the new generation of safe "pebble bed" nuclear reactors....this is the most enviromental solution for power. I think electric would be a great way to go for 75% of driving, plus you get gobs and gobs of low-end torque.

The new hybrid Accord is going to be a grand slam, as will all the other hybrid. And you you what? Despite being flawed technology, they deserve it! Detroit would still be cranking out disc brakes if they could get away with it. (They are still selling pushrod engines and solid rear axles, for crying out loud)

Sure nuclear sounds fantastic. It's gonna come back to "not in my backyard" though.

The thing I can't justify with the Accord hybrid, or others for that matter, is the "technology premium." How many years of driving (burning a little more gas) would it take to recoup the cost difference?

[gojira-san]

Detroit would still be cranking out disc brakes if they could get away with it. (They are still selling pushrod engines and solid rear axles, for crying out loud)I think you meant drum brakes ;)

[CharlieG]

Yeah, drum brakes, LOL.

That had to be the worst post I ever wrote...it was before my morning coffee. I notice lately my writing has been going to pot on these forums, I think I do too much now!

[Hercules]

What we need is the new generation of safe "pebble bed" nuclear reactors....this is the most enviromental solution for power. I think electric would be a great way to go for 75% of driving, plus you get gobs and gobs of low-end torque.

The new hybrid Accord is going to be a grand slam, as will all the other hybrid. And you you what? Despite being flawed technology, they deserve it! Detroit would still be cranking out disc brakes if they could get away with it. (They are still selling pushrod engines and solid rear axles, for crying out loud)
I'll take the C6 Vette with its 'archaic' pushrod that gets 28mpg on the highway and puts out 400 horsies :D