Re-InVolt Hybrid Electric Truck Conversion Plug-In

[MrTpengineer]

Why pick such a heavy vehicle for the convertion? To tell you the truth Ford's and Chevy's are alot lighter and have the same capasity.

[hybriddriveguy]

@MrTpengineer

That is simple. As far as total gallons of fuel saved, you make the most impact by choosing to convert the vehicles that use the most fuel. My truck began at 12mpg and if I accomplish a 100% increase to 24mpg, I have saved 10 gallons for every 240 miles. If I started with a vehicle getting 20mpg and increased the mileage to 40mpg, I would only save 6. If you did the same improvement on a Prius hybrid that got 50mpg and increased it to 100mpg, you only saved 2.4 gallons.

[MrTpengineer]

@hybriddriveguy Ok, i'm sure it works fine, I was just wondering :)

[BenKozar]

would love to make a hybrid ws trying to figure out if I could replace the transfer case with a electric motor and run full time 4wd front wheels on ev rear on ice.

[BenKozar]

@BenKozar and just tie it in with brake light that cuts the power to front and absorb energy when i coast to a stop. I don't think the front differential will handle it though.

[BenKozar]

@LTF85199 I need a truck for everyday use plus my

big silverado gets 20-24 mpg 4x4 5.3 engine 6 speed aluminum engine 295hp

and my little dakota gets 14-16 mpg 4x4 5.2 engine 5 speed solid steel beast. 235 hp

I am a carpenter I haul lumber tools steel pull trailers haul fishing hunting gear. If I just go anywhere by

[LTF85199]

@BenKozar I am speaking of a marginal percentages of the buyers who use them only remotely for pleasure and not for a need at a regular basis.

[BenKozar]

@LTF85199 Granted just suggesting that maybe you underestimate how many people are like me:) If I don't have 4x4 and it rains more then an inch I can't get home.

[wiccanmoonman]

I'm getting a Honda CR-Z.

[Htbk27]

How much do you quote a jeep wrangler or an older style bronco? How many miles on just electric? Thankyou

[mhlubs]

i love it you should sell your plan

[pcloverify]

This is great! I just have a few questions if u could answer that would be great. I am extremely interested in how u coupled the electric motor. In the brief picture at the beginning it is hard to tell, is it couple to the back of the transmission? Also what kind of motor is it. A 9 inch advanced dc? Also is that an alltrax controller? What kind of charger do u have? Does the electric motor free wheel when it is not driving or does it get rotated by the engine when u are just driving regula

[hybriddriveguy]

@pcloverify

The motor is coupled by the drive shaft on both ends and is driven 100% of the time. It is an 11" warfield motor.

We did use an alltrax controller but have since increased the battery to 144 volts with a custom controller that increases fuel mileage at highway speeds. We use a custom built charger. We would love to sell the process since our time has gone into converting hybrid vehicles to PHEVs.

[bellaggio1770]

That's awesome. What's the range?

[hybriddriveguy]

@bellaggio1770

The range depends upon how aggressive we are with the electric. We currently get about 10 miles in full electric mode with lead acid batteries.

[BumbleBeeGS]

@hybriddriveguy If you can replace all those batteries with lithium ion or lithium polymer, youll probably get a better range since its less weight and more efficient. also id recommend mounting them under the bed for better weight distribution.

[hybriddriveguy]

@BumbleBeeGS

You are right. It is something we plan to do, but currently that would add about $8000 to the cost of the system.

[BumbleBeeGS]

@hybriddriveguy if you buy them in bulk it shouldnt be as bad on your wallet.

[hybriddriveguy]

@BumbleBeeGS We actually do buy them in bulk, but the price is still very high.

[ibpointless2]

Since that truck is a automatic don't you need the engine to in use or else you'll burn up the transmission or do you not put it in neutral when using the electric motor?

[hybriddriveguy]

@ibpointless2

We always let the engine idle to protect the transmission and allow the PS pump and AC to work.

[3089280288]

I have a Durango, wait, the front wheel might fall off.

[apache4541]

Good news you will get new Nanotech battery A123 systems more powerful than Lithium-ion Powered ! The Nanotech battery quick charged in 5 mins get full , you will get about 450 miles range

[MinkOWar]

Trucks, the perfect place for a plug-in hybrid...

I love it.

[ulyesses31]

freakin awesome!

[hybriddriveguy]

You just have to set up the system so you are fuse protected for high amps. My control module also shuts down my system if the amps go too high. As far as cooling goes, my motor is turning around 2500 rpms, which is more than sufficient to cool it.

[xboondocksx]

is this a Diesel 2 ???

[imacrazydude9999999]

I had a transwarp 9 pushing my small ranger in neutral and it fried the Alltrax quick. Plus the motor can't turn quick enough to properly cool, how do you get away with that?

[LTF85199]

Great job, but why would you buy a 3ton truck and convert it to electric, why not a cobalt or lighter truck like the ford ranger or Chevy (forgot the model). People should rent truck to haul stuff not own them for everyday use. To transport one150 lb human should you drag along 3tons (appx 5500lb) of heavy metal wasting energy? see "carver one" future of human transport.

[daverita123]

You just have to do he math to see why I would choose this over a light vehicle. The greatest savings will come from these size vehicles and heavier. It is hard t pull a car trailer with a cobalt or ranger as well.

[LTF85199]

you are right, I was talking about the majority of heavy truck users who use it mainly for commuting and not utilizing it full power/potential frequently.

[BenKozar]

myself and don't need gear I ride my motorcycle 45-70 mpg 800 cc v twin Did I mention that Im 6'5" and 300 lbs I have to go to the Chiropractor after a trip in my wife vw jetta which by the way only gets 22mpg.

[Bored00m]

cant keep both hands on the wheel? kinda unsafe? put a throttle behind the steering wheel like a paddle shifter!

[hybriddriveguy]

This was an early version that was designed just to prove the concept. The current version is fully automated into the truck's computer system. Sometimes you have to take a risk when going into uncharted territory. :^)

[DRSmetal]

This is amazing! If only Detroit would step up and start making these PHEV trucks.

[DdgeShelby]

So could you go into detail on how this setup is connected and how it works? Your site doesn't go into any detail about this..

thanks

*Chris

[roberson525]

That is so cool! I have a dodge ram truck like this one and gas prices are killing me. With this system I could use the batteries for day-to-day activities and run it on gasoline when I need to haul something or pull my boat. Great idea!

[Rileysdad1972]

That is fantastic and a great sales addition to a soon to be flailing automotive repair industry. With gas prices rising and no end in sight this could be a realistic chance to level off family spending. Also a great way to keep the vehicle you have and love.

[glennrobin]

Your truck is now getting 29.6 mpg? That is amazing! Those trucks typically get around 12mpg!