Colorado Tax Credit
Who is eligible?
You must be a Colorado taxpayer and have your car registered in Colorado. Even if you don't owe money to the state at tax time, you will get a refund which translates to a check from the state.
For more information about the tax credits/refunds available please review this document FYI Income67 and/or consult a CPA/tax professional.
What vehicles are eligible?
Right now we are supporting 2004-2009 aka "Gen2" Priuses. We hope to have products available for Gen3 (2010-2012) Prius later in 2012.
Can I convert more than one Vehicle?
Yes, if you have 2 Hybrids in your household, convert them both for twice the savings!
What is the real deal?
You have to purchase the system and pay BHC at time of installation. At "tax time" you get 75% on the balance (max $7500) from the state of Colorado. BHC accepts major credit cards and can put you in touch with a local financial institution if you wish to finance your purchase.
How do I apply for the tax credit?
Forms will be available from state tax agencies as we get closer to tax season.
What happens if the state "Pulls the plug" (pun intended!) on this program?
No future upgrades will be eligible. It is anticipated the tax credits will last until at least the end of 2012, but we encourage you to do the installation sooner than later...just in case. Cars upgraded to Plug In Hybrids before program termination will still be eligible for the tax credits.
I want to wait a few months and see how things go.
No problem, but if you have your car upgraded to a Plug In before the end of 2012, you'll get your refund around April 2013. (assuming you file taxes on time).
Where can I get more information from the state of Colorado?
General Information about Plug-In Hybrids
What do the terms mean; BEV, EV, PHEV, PHV ?
EV means Electric Vehicle. BEV refers to Battery Electric Vehicle, essentially the same thing as an EV. PHEV stands for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle, a hybrid that can also have its battery pack charged by plugging it into the wall. PHV means Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle, essentially the same as PHEV.
A Plug In Hybrid allows you to drive your car on gas or electricity. It’s like your car has two fuel tanks: one for gas and one for electric energy. You can fill your gas tank at any gas station like you would for a regular car and you can fill your electric tank by plugging your car into a standard electric outlet. Using the electric tank is much less expensive and better for the environment. You get the benefits of an electric car around town, and a gas (hybrid) car on longer trips.
Does it Void my Warranty?
The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act prohibits Toyota from voiding their warranty, unless they can prove that any retrofits directly affected the item in dispute. Our retrofits do not inhibit or damage any stock components, so Toyota should honor their warranty. In the event Toyota does not honor their warranty, Boulder Hybrid Conversions' warranty covers those components (see our warranty for details). Our sister company in California (3Prong Power) has never had a customer denied warranty coverage in almost 3 years of operations.
How much does it cost?
Our 4kwh system is $5500 installed. For Colorado residents this is around $1500 after federal and state tax credits.
Our 10kwh system is $12,000 installed. For Colorado residents this is around $5500 after federal and state tax credits.
What vehicles can be upgraded?
We are currently installing systems into 2004-2009 aka "Gen2" Priuses. We have solutions that work in 2001-2011 Priuses, but only Gen2's are currently certified for the CO tax credit. In the future we hope to have upgrades available for other Hybrids like the 2010-2012 Prius.
Can I upgrade any car to a PHV?
It is possible, but prohibitively expensive. Most Hybrids already have an electric motor that can propel the car. It is much easier to upgrade a Hybrid to PHV than convert a 100% gasoline vehicle. At this time BHC only upgrades 2004-2009 Toyota Prius Hybrids.
100MPG? For real?
Actually sometimes you'll get better than 100MPG. However, there are plenty of variables which impact efficiency. i.e. How many miles a day do you drive? What percentage city vs highway? Do you climb many hills? How fast do you accelerate? Can you "Plug in" more than once a day? How cold is it? With our 4kwh system, most people achieve between 65 and 75MPG. With our 10kwh system, most people achieve 80-100MPG. Contact us to discuss your particular driving pattern for a better estimate.
Do you remove the gas engine?
It's important to know that we do not remove the gasoline engine or any of the car's existing hybrid equipment, we do not cut any wires, we don't change any of the computers/software from Toyota, we don't even open the hood of the car. If the BHC battery pack is depleted or you shut it off the car will perform exactly as it did before the Plug in conversion. Should you ever want to remove the Plug in equipment it is easy to return the car back to its original configuration.
So I will still use gasoline?
At times, yes, but you'll use a lot less. And when a Plug In Prius burns gasoline what comes out of the tailpipe is exceptionally clean. Much cleaner than any other gasoline powered vehicle on the road.
Will I lose any cargo space?
The 4kWh system fits in the space below the carpet/deck and spare tire, so no visible space is lost. (You do lose the under deck "hidden" black plastic storage bin.) The 10kWh system uses the same area below deck and is about 1 inch taller than our 4kwh system. When the trunk carpet is in place you hardly notice any difference.
Can I access my spare tire?
With the 4kwh system, you have easy access to the spare tire. With our 10kwh system We suggest carrying it in cargo area of the trunk on longer trips, or subscribing to a service like AAA or Better World Club (a green alternative to AAA).
What is the ROI on the system?
The Prius is already very efficient at using gasoline. Our least expensive 4kWh system at about $1500 after tax credits, will still take many months, if not years (depending on your driving pattern) to "payback" the system. However, the real ROI is non-monetary. if you combine your plug-in system with wind or solar electricy, your electric-only miles are truly zero carbon. Tailpipe emissions will be even less than they are with a "regular" Prius. You'll also set an example for your children/grandchildren that you can run a vehicle without depending entirely on middle eastern and/or gulf of Mexico oil. There's also the added convenience of visiting the gas station less often, and a hedge against prices when gasoline increases to $4, $5/gallon or more.
What kind of plug/receptacle is required to charge the car? How long does it take? How much does it cost for the electricity?
Our systems require a standard 120V, 15Amp, "3 Prong" receptacle. If you can plug in your laptop you can plug in your car. No special wiring required. It takes around 5 hours to fill an empty 4kwh system, and around 8-10 hours to fill an empty 10kwh system.
What if I forget to charge the PHV?
No problem. You will not be stranded. As long as you have gasoline in the tank (or can find gasoline) your car will operate as a normal Hybrid that day. That is the major benefit of a PHV over a pure 100% EV. No such thing as "range anxiety".
Can I plug in more than once a day?
Yes! The more you plug in, the less gasoline you'll use. Some employers allow PHV owners to plug in at work. Let your employer pay for your electricity for the ride home!
I heard that Toyota is coming out with their own Plug In Prius. Why don’t I just wait for their product?
If you don't currently own a Hybrid, that may be a way to go. However, you may have to wait a year or two. You will also have to pay for a brand new car ($34k+), and lastly, the Toyota Prius Plug In will only have an EV range of 15 miles. Our 10kwh system will already go around 30-40 miles EV per charge. Financially you are better off to buy a late model Gen2 Prius ($10-15k) and upgrade it. With the money you save you can install some solar panels on your home, reduce your grid demands and round out your green footprint.
Grid Power load and cleanliness?
A lot of people say "you're just using dirty coal generated electricity instead of gasoline so how does it help the environment?"
A number of talking points; 1) Electricity always comes from domestic sources. Conflicts in the middle east or oil rigs in the gulf of Mexico are not relevant to electricity production. 2) Most people will charge their PHV's overnight. There is plenty of overnight capacity in the current US Power Grid. The US Power Grid can currently support over 100 Million PHVs each night without any upgrades whatsoever. 3) In many parts of the country clean, renewable electricity is available. In most parts of Colorado you can pay your utility a few dollars more per month and be guaranteed your energy comes from renewable resources such as WindSource. Finally, many homeowners install Photovoltaic "solar" panels on their homes to generate their own renewable electricity, locally, on their home to reduce the amount of electricity traveling over transmission lines. 4) Even if your power comes from the average U.S. mix of about 50% coal, your carbon footprint is lower than using gas to power your vehicle.
Installation process
After we schedule your appointment, we need your car for 1-2 days (4kwh systems) or 3-4 days (10kwh systems). We install everything right in our Boulder shop. If you cannot be without a vehicle, there is a Hertz rental location across the street from us. We can also drop you at the Boulder bus terminal for coach service to Denver and other locations.
Who is Boulder Hybrid Conversions?
Boulder Hybrid Conversions was founded in August 2010. The four principals came from Evolve Electrics, a Longmont based EV parts/conversion company and 3Prong Power, a PHV conversion business in Berkeley, California. Evolve Electrics has been supplying EV components worldwide for over 2 years, 3Prong Power has been installing PHV systems into Priuses since 2007.
My old "Gen1" 2001-2003 Prius needs a new battery. Can your system help me?
Our systems add great capabilities to the Prius, but your car must be healthy first. If you have a problem with your battery, transaxle, or other hybrid component it must first be fixed before upgrading to a PHV. If your Prius needs such repairs, please contact us. We know of hybrid repair options that cost significantly less than the dealer.
Should I just wait until my Prius battery dies?
No, because you will still need a good hybrid battery. If you have a Gen2 (2004-2009) or newer Prius, you may be waiting a long time. Many Gen2 Priuses have 150-200k miles on them and are still using their original hybrid battery!
Is it safe?
Our systems use lithium iron phosphate battery technology. Unlike some of the old lithium battery technologies, lithium phosphate is not prone to thermal run-away. Plug-in kits using the same battery technology have passed rigorous rear-end collision testing approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.