Fleet owners and commercial customers – The Advanced Vehicle Research Center can install your A123/Hymotion Plug-in Electric Hybrid Conversion!

Interested in converting your Prius to a real Plug-in Electric Hybrid? The technology is here and available NOW! The AVRC is a certified A123/Hymotion installer for commercial and fleet vehicles in the Southeast United States.

The AVRC has worked with A123/Hymotion over the past year during the full year-long field test of this great new gas-saving technology. As a certified installer, the AVRC has now installed plug-in conversion kits on vehicles from North Carolina to Florida including completed vehicles for Progress Energy NC, Progress Energy FL, Duke Energy, City of Raleigh and many others.

The A123 conversion adds a 5 KW Lithium-Ion battery pack to any 2004 to 2008 Toyota Prius, which allows for up to 35 miles of driving on all-electric or gas-electric drive. The result for most users is improved mileage up to 100 mpg depending on the driving conditions (and the driver.) The greatest improvement in mileage is seen when driving in urban environments or heavy traffic conditions, and mileage has been verified in some conditions at over 100 mpg. High speed or freeway driving results will be lower.

Some commonly asked questions:

Q: How much does it cost?

A: The cost of the kit is $10,400 all inclusive. That includes the full kit price, delivery and installation at our Raleigh facility. Standard terms are a $1,000 deposit and the balance due on completion of the installation.

Q: What model years of Prius can be converted?

A: Model years 2004 to 2008 can be converted to plug-in hybrids. Earlier models use a slightly different hybrid control system and there is no kit available or planned at this time. 2009 models have not yet been certified.

Q: How long does it take?

A: The process takes about half a day. You can drop your car off at our Raleigh facility in the morning and pick it up at the end of day or leave it overnight.

Q: How does it affect the factory warranty?

A: Toyota does state that non-factory modifications will void the factory warranty.

Q: I can't get to the Raleigh facility. Can the AVRC come to my business to do the conversion?

A: In most cases the AVRC can do a mobile install. Proper site facilities have to be made available and there is a charge for local install service based on time and distance. Please inquire for a quote.

Q: What geographical area does the AVRC service?

A: The AVRC can do fleet, and commercial installs for businesses in the states of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Based on the specific location, and prior approval from A123, we can do other states if it is convenient to the customer.

Q: I have a question that's not covered here, where can I ask further questions about the kit?

A: Please feel free to visit the A123/Hymotion site for a lot of additional information.

Q. We would like to install the V2Green Smart Charger with GPS tracking and data logging. Can AVRC do this?

A. Yes. AVRC is also certified to sell and install the V2Green product. You can contact V2Green to place the order and let them know that AVRC will be doing your conversion and they will ship directly to us. V2Green can be contacted through their web site

For more information, or to order your Hybrid conversion today, email fleet@avrc.com.

You can also contact A123/Hymotion directly and let them know that you would like AVRC to handle your installation.