Ford Escape PLUG-IN hybrid kit (not Hymotion)?

Question

A few weeks ago I was on a website that spoke of a kit that converts hybrid cars (Prius and Escape) to plug-in hybrids. It also said this kit would cost about $4,000. I was just looking for that website again but all I can find is a kit from "Hymotion" and that one is only for the Prius and it costs $10,000. Apparently they're going to make a kit for the Ford Escape but it's not out yet... My wife & I really want to buy a used Escape Hybrid and install one of those kits (next year). If anyone knows about that $4,000 kit I saw please let me know. Thank you.

Answer 1

http://www.calcars.org/howtoget.html

Going through the list, http://www.hybrids-plus.com/ and http://www.oemtek.com/ currently have a PHEV kit for the Ford Escape hybrid. Some others are still working on it.  The costs depends on which kit you get, the type of added batteries they use, and how large of an additional battery pack you add.

Answer 2

The only thing I can find that even comes close to what you are talking about is a kit that will be released next year by VS Composites and will cost the $4,000.00 you mentioned.  From Forbes:

"VS Composites' $4,000 Electrocharger, due in 2009, also works with any conventional car, including ones whose engines have a turbocharger or supercharger — good news for car enthusiasts, who seek out such engines for the added power and acceleration they bring. The Electrocharger improves fuel economy in city driving by almost 60 percent by replacing a vehicle’s alternator with an electric generator, says Michael Van Steenburg, of VS Composites, based in Selma, Texas. Although the Electrocharger will be cheaper upfront than the Poulsen plug-in hybrid system, it will cost from $3 to $5 to juice the Electrocharger for a 80 kilometre range.

The Electrocharger can be installed by any mechanic, Van Steenburg says. "The connectors are color coded and unique for each connection. Our plan is to work with licensed installers who have been educated on all aspects of the system. Since installation takes about 3 hours, most professional service shops would charge about $180 to $225 for the install."

I can't locate the website you are speaking of and VS Composites doesn't have any information on their website regarding the upcoming release.