PRIUS+ mileage: A couple of weeks ago, after logging every trip in my
PRIUS+ for a year, I stopped doing so and accumulated my average mileage
while doing my normal driving around Marin County. The result so far,
after two weeks: 87 mpg. Also, without the time consuming logging, I
find plugging and unplugging the car to be no problem at all, taking
only seconds at each end of a trip.

Battery suggestions: We at CalCars get many suggestions of batteries to
look at (the latest is at http://fireflyenergy.com/ffy.html). While we
greatly appreciate the suggestions, we have very little chance to follow
up on most of them. While it would be great to check out all the
possibilities, I am currently CalCars' only full-time technologist, and
am juggling many simultaneous projects. I would therefore like to
request two things:

1. Is there someone who would like to step forward (as a volunteer) to
become a CalCars' first stage battery/battery manufacturer evaluator?
If so, you can work with me to refine and document PHEVs' current and
likely future battery needs, and then become a point person to check out
new battery companies and their battery technologies as potential
suppliers for PHEVs. Likely candidates will then get more of CalCars'
attention.

2. In the meantime, I'd like to request that anyone making a battery or
battery company suggestion check first with the company to verify that
they have a product that meets the following minimum parameters -- or
find someone to send your suggestion to who will do this initial checkout:

Development stage: in at least limited volume production, with
specifications available
Specific energy: >40 Wh/kg
Power handling: >10C (6 minute full discharge rate)
Calendar life: >10 years
Cycle life: >4000 cycles (to 80% depth-of-discharge desired, to 50%
minimum, may require special control electronics)
Cell size: 28-50 Amp-hr (6-10 kWh pack at 216V without massive
paralleling of cells, and weighing <300 lb)
Cost #1: <$600/kWh in quantities for hundreds of PHEVs
Cost #2: willing to work with CalCars on a no- or low-cost basis, to
build one or more prototype PHEVs

Until getting the above battery expert volunteer, expect us to be unable
to follow up on any battery suggestions that have not already been
evaluated against the above criteria.

Thanks,
/ron

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Ron Gremban, rgremban@...
California Cars Initiative, a nonprofit organization:
http://www.CalCars.org
Moderator & Technical Lead
http://www.priusplus.org
PRIUS+ PHEV Conversion Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/priusplus
Newsletter: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/calcars-news
Do-it-yourself PHEVs: http://www.seattleeva.org/wiki/EAA-PHEV
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