A123 Hymotion is a company founded in 2005 in Toronto, Canada that introduced plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) upgrade kits in February 2006. In February 2007, Hymotion was acquired by A123Systems, the manufacturer of the batteries that Hymotion uses for upgrades[1].
Designed for the Toyota Prius and the Ford Escape and Mariner Hybrids, these kits can be purchased by individuals for the Prius and professionally installed by 17 different certified companies in Canada and the United States[2]. Hymotion also has a program for fleet buyers.
The L5 Plug-in conversion module is part of their 5 kWh kit that includes batteries, power electronics, crash sensors, charger, Battery Management System (BMS) and manual-electric interlock. The system does not require removal of the OEM battery pack in the stock vehicle and can be installed in less than 4 hours. The batteries use Lithium iron phosphate technology, chosen for its greater safety and heat characteristics over other types of lithium-ion batteries.
Recently, the South Coast Air Quality Management District awarded Hymotion to convert 10 Toyota Prius hybrid vehicles to PHEVs.