Thoughts on a plug-in hybrid conversion
Hello! I am the founder of a Seattle-based startup. We are developing a family of universal retrofit kits that convert existing vehicles into plug-in hybrids. Our first product will be for pickup tru...
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Thanks for the comments! A half ton option would be about 350 pounds, though some recent advances in the types of batteries we're using will likely drive that down to under 300. We understand that some people run their trucks right up to their payload capacity, and this wouldn't be a good fit in that case. But some half ton configurations could use our system while towing an 8,000 lb trailer and still have 1750 lbs of payload available.
We have a design that allows parallel power delivery like you're describing, but we're not planning on launching with it. The problem is regulatory...things get iffy when you're doing something that interferes with the native engine and emission control systems. Our hope is that once we're in the market and demonstrating the emissions reduction potential of the technology, we can advocate for some favorable regulation.
We're not targeting vehicle's in warranty. But it's worth pointing out that the burden is always on the manufacturer to prove that something an owner did caused a failure. The average vehicle lifespan is 21 years, so we still have plenty of room to work with, and the systems can be transferred to a new vehicle easily.
For people who can afford a new truck that has everything they want, we're not the right answer. We're specifically going after the people who have been priced out of the new car market (especially EV pickups). Plus, no one makes a plug-in hybrid pickup, which kinda blows my mind.
We have a design that allows parallel power delivery like you're describing, but we're not planning on launching with it. The problem is regulatory...things get iffy when you're doing something that interferes with the native engine and emission control systems. Our hope is that once we're in the market and demonstrating the emissions reduction potential of the technology, we can advocate for some favorable regulation.
We're not targeting vehicle's in warranty. But it's worth pointing out that the burden is always on the manufacturer to prove that something an owner did caused a failure. The average vehicle lifespan is 21 years, so we still have plenty of room to work with, and the systems can be transferred to a new vehicle easily.
For people who can afford a new truck that has everything they want, we're not the right answer. We're specifically going after the people who have been priced out of the new car market (especially EV pickups). Plus, no one makes a plug-in hybrid pickup, which kinda blows my mind.
