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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Ok, thanks for all the comments...super valuable feedback. I'll try to respond to everything here:
We'll be offering our systems in basically small-medium-large configurations. Our target power is 200-250-300 hp, but we might tweak that.
Totally hear the payload capacity argument. Not a good idea for someone already pushing the limits. We're not exclusively going after the RV market, just trying to get a sense for how attractive it would be to how much of that market. I should mention that there is also a hitch-mounted option which can be quickly removed before hooking up a trailer if payload is a limiting factor.
Regarding engine braking...we will, in the future, offer a blended operation mode where you can use both the engine and the motor, in which case you would get regenerative braking. As I mentioned before, this gets tricky with regulations in some states, so we won't tackle that until we're established in the marketplace.
PHEVs in general are a great solution for a lot of people, based on how most people actually drive. But definitely not for everyone. For a big chunk of people, the payback period for a system like this would be less than a financing term, so you can go into it only saving money. And this is without any gov't incentives (which we're working on) or leveraging carbon credits (in states that have cap-and-trade systems, they can cut the price almost in half).
Thanks so much folks...this is all fantastic info.
We'll be offering our systems in basically small-medium-large configurations. Our target power is 200-250-300 hp, but we might tweak that.
Totally hear the payload capacity argument. Not a good idea for someone already pushing the limits. We're not exclusively going after the RV market, just trying to get a sense for how attractive it would be to how much of that market. I should mention that there is also a hitch-mounted option which can be quickly removed before hooking up a trailer if payload is a limiting factor.
Regarding engine braking...we will, in the future, offer a blended operation mode where you can use both the engine and the motor, in which case you would get regenerative braking. As I mentioned before, this gets tricky with regulations in some states, so we won't tackle that until we're established in the marketplace.
PHEVs in general are a great solution for a lot of people, based on how most people actually drive. But definitely not for everyone. For a big chunk of people, the payback period for a system like this would be less than a financing term, so you can go into it only saving money. And this is without any gov't incentives (which we're working on) or leveraging carbon credits (in states that have cap-and-trade systems, they can cut the price almost in half).
Thanks so much folks...this is all fantastic info.
