While hybrid cars have gotten a lot of press in recent months, hybrid conversion kits are growing in popularity among thrifty consumers. Conversion kits allow drivers to switch between gasoline and another fuel source with options ranging from electricity to water. These kits have gained some attention on local news shows and blogs because they allow average drivers to make their vehicles eco-friendly. Drivers who choose hybrid conversion kits can avoid paying high prices for hybrids, keep their fuel costs low and conserve resources by keeping their cars away from the scrap heap.
Not every conversion kit is created equal and consumers have to find equipment that is right for their vehicles. Hybrid Electric Vehicle Technologies (HVET) has developed a conversion kit that has been tested on a Ford F-150. This vehicle’s popularity along with HVET’s repeated testing lends credibility to this kit, consisting of an Adaptive Control Unit, an electric motor and a 12 kWh battery pack. The motor is rigged to the vehicle’s existing drive train and the control unit keeps the motor’s performance steady. HVET’s conversion kit also features a dashboard display to help any driver keep tabs on fuel mileage and battery charge.
Poulsen Hybrid has challenged HVET’s conventional approach to fuel-to-hybrid conversion. This Connecticut-based company has created a conversion kit featuring two motors, motor controllers and cables that attaches to a vehicle’s rear wheels. This kit is non-invasive, requiring no contact with the brakes, suspension or steering. A driver with a Poulsen Hybrid attachment can switch on the rear wheel motors for regenerative braking to reduce fuel consumption. Poulsen Hybrid offers a lead acid battery pack standard with a lithium-ion battery optional for consumers interested in longer battery life. The company charges $3,300 for each kit with professional installation required at an additional $600.
The market for hybrid conversion kits should not be blocked for drivers who already own a hybrid vehicle. A123’s Hymotion L5 Plug-in Converter Module is available for $9,995 for Toyota Prius models between 2004 and 2009. The module packs an additional punch to the car’s already robust MPG figures, allowing a Prius to get up to an equivalent of 100 MPG on an electrical charge for up to 40 miles. This product can be fully charged within six hours, allowing commuters to plug in the Hymotion L5 at night before heading out in the morning.
