Battery Maker Gold Peak, Plug-In Conversions Inc. Partner to Sell Kits Worldwide
By Scott Doggett December 19, 2008
Gold Peak Industries North America
, a subsidiary of GP Batteries International
, which claims to be the largest rechargeable battery maker outside of Japan, has acquired an equity stake in Plug In Conversions Corp
.
The transaction, announced today, positions the latter to sell its plug-in Toyota Prius conversion kits worldwide and produce kits for hybrids made by other manufacturers.
Under the new strategic partnership, PICC will first expand its U.S. network of certified installers -- the auto dealerships or mechanics using PICC's nickel metal hydride battery kits to convert Toyota Priuses into plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.
San Diego-based PICC will then begin to sell the kits wherever GP Batteries sells its products.
"In collaboration with the battery conglomerate's engineers, PICC also plans to make conversion kits for other hybrids made by Toyota and those sold by Ford and GM," Gold Peak and PICC said in a joint statement. "These will also supply an international market."
It will be interesting to see if the partnership is able to carry out this ambitious plan or whether it proves to be so much pie in the sky.
With PICC's kit, a 2004 or newer Prius can be driven up to 25 miles on batteries alone with an average fuel economy of 100 miles per gallon, increasing efficiency while reducing global-warming emissions.
The kit replaces Toyota's 1.3 kilowatt NiMH battery pack with a 6.1 kilowatt pack. It sells for $12,500, including installation. The battery pack can be charged from a 120-volt wall outlet and comes with a three-year warranty.
The company will display its first Prius outfitted with GP Batteries at the San Diego International Auto Show, which runs from Dec. 31 through Jan. 4.
Anyone considering such a kit will want to take a close look at A123 Systems' plug-in conversion kits for Priuses. They cost $10,000 and up and, like the PICC kit, can more than double the roughly 48 mpg range of a Prius. And, they use lithium-ion cells, which are generally regarded as superior to NiMH cells.
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