Published on December 8th, 2008 | by Nick Chambers

Convert Your Prius to a 100+ MPG Plug-In Hybrid Electric Car

A company based in California has announced that starting in February, they can convert your 2004-2009 model Prius into a plug-in hybrid electric car that can go 40 miles on battery power alone, or get 100+ miles per gallon when driven in “enhanced Prius” mode.

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Jungle Motors is already the largest electric vehicle conversion shop in Orange County, California. They can take virtually any car and convert it to all-electric, but specialize in converting old Porsches and PT Cruisers. They’ve actually been converting Priuses into plug-in hybrids for a while using lead-acid batteries. That’s old hat at this point.

Their current innovation is that, starting in February 2009, they’ll be using next generation Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries, or LifePO4, instead of Lead-Acid. With the LifePO4 batteries, the converted Prius will deliver 40+ miles of engineless range. Over 70% of drivers in the United States drive less than 40 miles every day.

The conversion involves adding both batteries and new hardware. When the conversion is complete the driver has 3 driving options — Normal Prius Mode, Enhanced Prius Mode and Battery-only Mode. In the Normal Mode, the vehicle performs like a stock Prius getting over 40 miles per gallon. In a blend of Enhanced and Battery-only Modes, the car delivers over 100 mpg. And in the Battery-only Mode it becomes a fully Electric Vehicle (EV).

The conversion kits start at $4,995 dollars and, if you’re local, installation is also available.

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Tags: conversion, diy, do it yourself, electric car, Fuel economy, jungle motors, lead-acid batteries, Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries, plug-in hybrids, prius

About the Author

Nick Chambers Not your traditional car guy.

Michael Bryant

Plug hybrids are interesting. Don’t worry about your batteries going dead. And if electricity energy make up a major part of energy transportation needs than bio fuel might be able to make up the rest.
Michael Bryant

Plug hybrids are interesting. Don’t worry about your batteries going dead. And if electricity energy make up a major part of energy transportation needs than bio fuel might be able to make up the rest.
http://www.lowimpactliving.com Jessica Jensen

Do you know of places in other states doing this? I’d love to get the word out to people outside of California….thanks!
http://www.lowimpactliving.com Jessica Jensen

Do you know of places in other states doing this? I’d love to get the word out to people outside of California….thanks!
Drew C

Would this plug-in conversion apply to my 2008 Camry hybrid as well?
Drew C

Would this plug-in conversion apply to my 2008 Camry hybrid as well?
Gary Mc

It will be interesting to see how the new stimilus bill will help drive this industry..
- http://Web brad
  
  THE NEW STIMULUS BILL WILL DO NOTHING FOR ANYONE EXCEPT COST YOU MONEYAS A TAXPAYER–WAKE UP
Gary Mc

It will be interesting to see how the new stimilus bill will help drive this industry..
Uncle B

In the old days, hot rodders would replace body parts with light-weight plastic and carbon fiber ones, or simply cut and slash the old metal bodies down, less weight meant better speed performance, the yesteryear goal! We have not started to reduce the weight of the bodies on our hi-milers yet, and I anticipate a flurry of really decent design modifications away from the standard ‘Prius’ format, even some two seater commuter models getting vastly improved ranges through lighter weight and better aerodynamics! carbon fiber and polymer composite cars with aluminum panels here we come! Better start building wind turbines too! We’re going to need them with all those batteries to charge.
Uncle B

In the old days, hot rodders would replace body parts with light-weight plastic and carbon fiber ones, or simply cut and slash the old metal bodies down, less weight meant better speed performance, the yesteryear goal! We have not started to reduce the weight of the bodies on our hi-milers yet, and I anticipate a flurry of really decent design modifications away from the standard ‘Prius’ format, even some two seater commuter models getting vastly improved ranges through lighter weight and better aerodynamics! carbon fiber and polymer composite cars with aluminum panels here we come! Better start building wind turbines too! We’re going to need them with all those batteries to charge.
Tim N

I own a Prius. Do the math. Just the material $4,999 (tax? Installation? not included) investment = 1,818 gal @ $2.75. @45mpg I would have to travel 81,802 miles to break-even. @40 miles per day that = 2,045 days or 5.6 yrs. How long do these batteries last? What is the cost of the electricity to charge over 5.6 yrs.

Not to mention the time-value of the investment ($5K @5% for 6 yrs =$6.7k).

Before touting ideas like this, how about doing the math to ascertain if it is even cost effective??? Or don’t they teach math in J-school?
Tim N

I own a Prius. Do the math. Just the material $4,999 (tax? Installation? not included) investment = 1,818 gal @ $2.75. @45mpg I would have to travel 81,802 miles to break-even. @40 miles per day that = 2,045 days or 5.6 yrs. How long do these batteries last? What is the cost of the electricity to charge over 5.6 yrs.

Not to mention the time-value of the investment ($5K @5% for 6 yrs =$6.7k).

Before touting ideas like this, how about doing the math to ascertain if it is even cost effective??? Or don’t they teach math in J-school?
- http://pixelutely.com P I
  
  Ok, here is the math I did:
  Fill up at gas station once a week with my regular Camry = 400 miles (MAXIMUM) per 16 gallon tank = 25 MPG.
  Each week = $50 gas X 52 weeks = 2600 (So, far I spend $4.30 per gall, and average $68 on a 16 gallon fill up. SO THAT $2600 figure should really be $3536 ! )
  At $500 electricity cost of charging off peak hours for the year, I still save $3036. After saving up on oil changes, and anti-freeze/coolant, and other misc gas engine related costs, an electric saves you more than $3000 per year.
  
  After 10 years, you saved 30k! So, change batteries every two years (at 3k cost), and savings = 15k. not bad!
http://Web Ron

I have a 2004 Prius with 150K miles and am averaging 51.5 mpg for the life of the car. Do you replace the original main battery during your conversion process?
Brian Zetouna

I’d like to convert my prius, but I live in Michigan!
I drive an approximate 45 miles one way, therefore I usually drive between 90 to 100 miles a day.
Thanks
586-709-6061
Bmz330@yahoo.com