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FAQ's
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Available when: |
Please sign up for our mailing list and we will notify you when the Poulsen Hybrid is available for your vehicle. |
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Available From: |
The initial conversions will be performed at our Shelton, Connecticut Corporate Headquarters while we setup our authorized dealer network.
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Authorized Dealers/Installers:
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Many individuals and auto repair facilities have expressed an interest in becoming an authorized dealer. Please contact us if you are interested in becoming a dealer.
In addition, several car dealerships have inquired about offering Poulsen Hybrid conversions for new and used cars as a dealer installed option. |
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International sales:
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We have received inquiries from around the world and expect to have some systems out of the initial 250 Poulsen Hybrid systems available for selected international test markets.
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Approval:
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We are addressing the issue of DOT approvals and expect that it will not present a problem since the Poulsen Hybrid does not affect brakes, steering, suspension or any original safety systems.
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Which Cars are suitable?:
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Any traditional automobile that has 15” wheels or larger. This includes front drive, rear drive, and all wheel drive cars. However, features like the shape of the torque bar and the means of attaching it to the body of your car are model specific.
Adapter plates will be available for most bolt circle patterns.
Initially, we will be releasing the Poulsen Hybrid for the most popular vehicles on the road today. From there, we will move forward with additional Poulsen Hybrid models for larger vehicles. Please sign up for our mailing list to be notified when we release a Poulsen Hybrid for your vehicle.
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Many people have asked us about converting Prius and other first generation hybrids. Our reply has been that it may seem redundant to add two electric motors to a vehicle, which already has one, and which in principle can be transformed into a PHEV just by adding to the battery capacity. |
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Trucks and SUV’s:
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We have seen an overwhelming amount of interest in converting pickup trucks and SUV’s. We are developing a more powerful Poulsen Hybrid system specifically for trucks and SUV's. Please sign up for our mailing list to be notified when we release a Poulsen Hybrid for your pickup truck or SUV. |
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What can I save?:
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Fuel savings depend on your driving style, which takes into account the amount of work your ICE (gas engine) is doing and the amount of supplemental power being provided by the Poulsen Hybrid system. We are conducting real world mileage improvement tests and will report the results shortly. |
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Self Installation: |
Even though conversions by end users are possible, we have been advised against offering kits for self-installation until issues of product liability have been resolved.
Installation will only be available from authorized dealers. |
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Motors only:
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We have had many requests for supplying the motors separately for use in original design hybrid- or all-electric vehicles. For reasons of manufacturing capacity we believe it will be a while before we can serve the OEM market with our on-wheel motors or other particular components. |
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Regenerative Braking:
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Regenerative braking is engaged via a relay connected to your vehicle's brake light circuit. A light touch of the brake pedal, (without the pads actually contacting the drums or disks), will cause a slow deceleration of the vehicle while recovering most of the kinetic energy.
Practically zero energy will be recovered in a sudden emergency braking situation. |
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Charging while driving:
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Many people are asking “Why not charge the batteries from the alternator while on the road?” Since your vehicle's alternator is powered by an ICE (gas engine), this would defeat the purpose of a hybrid system. It also has been suggested to utilize one motor as a generator for charging while using the other motor for propulsion. This is not possible. |
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How to change a flat tire: |
Changing a flat tire on a car with Poulsen Hybrid may take 10 minutes longer than a normal tire change.
To change a flat tire, remove the hubcap and loosen the central bolt, which connects the motor with the adapter plate. Set the motor down at an angle leaving access to the lug bolts. Remove adapter plate by unscrewing the 4 or 5 flathead bolts connecting with the rear of the lug nuts. Loosen the lug nuts or bolts, jack up and change the wheel. Reinstall the adapter plate, Poulsen Hybrid motor and Hubcap. |
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Control systems: |
The controllers in the Poulsen Hybrid system are programmed for torque control and not connected to your accelerator pedal.
Instead, a toggle switch serves to turn the system on and off. The toggle swith is connected with the battery power supply in the trunk via a 10 foot cable.
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Instrumentation:
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We are working on an optional trip computer for your dashboard. This will require an additional cable leading to the CAN bus and will provide an LCD readout indicating miles/gallon, remaining charge, instantaneous horsepower delivered by the ICE, etc. |
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Torque bar attachment:
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The torque bar connects the motor stators with the vehicle body. The attachment hardware consists of a combined ball- and telescoping- joint, which compensates for possible misalignment during installation as well as relative movement as the car is traveling on the road. The preferred connecting point is forward of the wheel center. The relative forces are translatory, parallel to the body surface and directed upwards while driving and downwards during regenerative braking. |
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Electrical connections:
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The torque bar is a rectangular tubular aluminum extrusion and doubles as a conduit for the power and control cables leading from the power supply in the trunk to the motors on the back wheels. The cables exit the bar on the inside next to the ball joint and may be guided beneath the sub-fender, through a bore in the spare wheel well and on to the power supply components in the trunk area.
To recharge the Poulsen Hybrid, simply connect an extension cord to the electrical socket (ICE) on the driver's side hubcap and a standard 120 volt household outlet. |
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Width increase:
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The thickness of the motor adds about 3” each side at curb height and 3-4” inches at the center of the hubcap.
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Added un-sprung weight:
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The un-sprung weight of a traditional car comprising wheels, tires, hubs and brakes plus approximately 50% of the mass of suspension arms and springs. Typically the 35lb On-wheel motors add 40-50% to the original un-sprung weight of the rear axles.
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Batteries:
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The system is designed for 96 Volts, which is supplied by a 4.3 KWh Lithium Ion battery pack.
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The Lithium-Ion battery pack has 4.3 KWh of storage capacity and includes battery management circuitry and a dedicated charger. Expected life: 1,000 to 2,000 charge cycles. |
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Projected Price:
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The projected price of the Poulsen Hybrid system is $8,600 for compact sized vehicles. |
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Tax incentives:
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We have not pursued any tax credits, carpool lane access, parking or other incentives. This will be up to the politicians, locally and federally.
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Beta Testing:
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We have been contacted by individuals from around the world who are interested in beta testing the Poulsen Hybrid system. If you are interested and own a compact car and are within a few hours of our headquarters in Shelton, Connecticut, please contact us. You can also sign up for our mailing list to be notified when the Poulsen Hybrid is available from a dealer in your area. |
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Intellectual Property:
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Patent applications were filed in early 2007 and followed up with timely PCT and non Patent Union national filings. The trademark “Poulsen Hybrid” is registered internationally.
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