A team at the Middle Tennesse State University's engineering and technology department has developed a kit they claim can convert almost any vehicle into a plug-in hybrid for as little as $3,000.
The kit's low cost is due to its use of off-the shelf components, explains MTSU's Dr. Charles Perry, with the breakthrough that allows it to be applied to a wide range of cars coming in the packaging of the system's two brushless DC electric motors. The motors, which each produce 200 lb-ft of torque, are mounted one apiece to the backs of the rear brake rotors, effectively sidestepping the complex packaging process necessitated by other hybrid conversion kits.
The motors draw power from a lithium-ion battery pack mounted in the trunk and work in conjunction with the vehicle's gasoline engine, providing a boost to both acceleration and fuel economy. How much of an increase? The MTSU team installed the kit on a 1994 Honda Accord wagon and reported efficiency gains of 50 to 100 percent in city driving. As with most hybrid systems, the greatest efficiency improvements come at around-town velocities, and the electric motors actually shut off at highway speeds so as not to adversely impact economy.
Looking to put the kit to widespread use, Perry has teamed with a manufacturing partner and is currently approaching companies that might be interesting in implementing the system in their fleets.
Watch Perry explain the system in detail in the video below.
![Kit converts nearly any vehicle into plug-in hybrid for $3,000 [Video]](http://cdn4.leftlanenews.com/photos/content/january2012/thumbnails5.0/plugin-ri_653.jpg)
