Convert old Prius?

HERE'S THE QUICK SUMMARY:
Depending on the choice of battery types, PHEV conversions using lead-acid, nickel-metal and lithium chemistries are now available for $2-$13,000. Conversions are mostly for the second-generation (2004-2009) Prius. At these prices, people are buying the "environmental feature" -- they want to be among the first owners of the world's cleanest extended-range vehicles. They are early adopters, buying "Version 1.0" PHEVs with "Good Enough to Get Started" batteries. See Where PHEVs Are for a list of early conversions.

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Advanced Do It Yourself/EAA-PHEV http://www.priusplus.org: CalCars and the Electric Auto Association's PHEV group created this open-source project to bring PHEV conversions to '04-09 Prius owners across the country. Our goal is to enable owners to enlist a local electrician/engineer to convert their cars, initially with lead-acid batteries, for under $6,000 and less than two person-weeks of time. If you're an engineer or an advanced do-it-yourselfer who is comfortable around high voltage batteries and automotive workshops, you can join the discussion and the project!

3Prong Power http://www.3prongpower.com, Berkeley, CA sells complete lithium battery systems including installation at $3,499 and up for the 2001-2010 Prius as well as the Ford Escape Hybrid...

Enginer http://www.enginer.us sells complete 2kWh and 4kWh lithium battery systems for $1,995 and $3,495 ($1,000 more in CA with a 5-year warranty). This lowest-priced of all conversion options uniquely can be installed in Generation 1 (pre-2004) Priuses as well. Enginer has installer partners and offers do-it-yourself instructions. The Michigan-based company is a consortium between AutomationTech Inc, USA and Australia-owned Enginer Environmentech Ltd., China.

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California Company Develops 40-Mile Plug-in Prius

SYNOPSIS: 2010 Prius is first of its kind to be converted to offering 40-45 miles of electric-car driving mode.

PAPILLION, NE -- Plug-in Conversions Corporation PICC
of Poway, California has beat Toyota and General Motors to the bunch.

Using a 12.5kWh lithium battery pack produced by Hong Kong-based Gold Peak, the tiny start-up has developed a conversion kit for the 2010 model Prius that gives it the ability to drive at highway speeds for up to 40 miles as an electric car. With computer software developed by Andrew and Chris Ewert of Chicago, Illinois, the third generation Prius is the first of its kind to demonstrate electric car range comparable to the Chevrolet Volt, and well exceeding the 12-13 mile range of Toyota's own PHV Prius.

In a recent road rally outside of Madison, Wisconsin, the car delivered 245 mpg fuel efficiency over the 24 mile course that included interstate, county roads and city streets.

"If we'd had another day or two to finish testing the car, we could have driven the entire course in electric mode," Chris Ewert explained, adding that the couple of software cliches the brothers discovered have now been fixed.

Ewert pointed out that not only are the new lithium batteries twice as powerful the company's current NiMH packs, but they are lighter and take up less space. "They should also last longer and be able to be more deeply discharged than current nickel batteries," he added.

PICC-founder and president Kim Adelman was in Australia installing two company conversion kits when the car debuted at the Green Drive Expo. He noted that now that the Ewerts have completed the necessary software engineering for the Generation III model, his kits now can be adapted to include nearly the complete range of both Toyota and Lexus hybrid models

He anticipates offering consumers the kit in three-to-six month. Pricing has not yet been set.

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Question:
Can you convert any Prius?
Answer:
We can only convert 2004 or newer Prius Vehicles due to the design of the older models.

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