prius plug in hv matters here because Prius plug-in hv battery: I decided to upgrade my 2013 Prius so the pack isn’t stuck in “maybe I’ll make it” territory. Once I treated the cells like the foundation of the whole build (not an afterthought), the numbers finally started matching what we all want—more usable EV miles and better real-world efficiency. And yeah, I’m doing it while keeping the MPG mindset front and center, because I’m not here to build a science project I can’t drive. For related background, see Click here for more details and where you ca n purchase your upgraded Plug-in Battery..
2024-06-05 UPDATE: Click here for more details and where you can purchase your upgraded Plug-in Battery. You can also be like me and use your OE cells to build your own DIY Toyota Power Wall! 2024-03-05 UPDATE: When I calculated the batteries the right way, it turns out I have roughly ~10.3kWh which is more than a 2017 Prius Prime! I used to tell folks that my vision for the Prius far exceeds lift kits and roof racks… so when a company tried to copy my earlier product ideas and then throw shade while they couldn’t keep their roof racks in stock, I had to laugh.
No one talks about the subframe spacers that are available for the Gen2 and Gen3 Prius—which were a product of my brainchild. Anywho… back to batteries. For new lithium HV batteries for your Prius, check out ProjectLithium.
Prius plug-in hybrid history: The new Prime is actually the third generation of Prius to be offered with a plug. The 2012-15 Prius Plug-In Hybrid had a 4.4-kwh battery pack, just large enough to qualify it for a federal tax credit, and a measly 11 miles of EPA-rated range—though its electric-only power was so low the engine had to switch on at 6 miles, halfway through the EPA’s easygoing test cycle. Then came the 2017 Prius Prime, visually quite distinct from its conventional hybrid sibling, with 8.8-kwh giving 25 miles of range. Commendably, it operated as an EV only as long as the battery had more charge in it than the conventional hybrid version. Now we have the new 2023 Prius Prime, with a 13.6-kwh battery giving ranges of 39 to 44 miles, arriving at dealerships in May.
That said… a 500hp Hybrid AWD Prius is what I am building! For new lithium HV batteries for your Prius, check out ProjectLithium. Before I started manufacturing parts, he and I were good buddies… I recall asking if he could manufacture for me various parts and he said he only does lift kits. heh, so while he lies to you all about the fact he once again is on my coattail and unable to develop new parts without being inspired by me… here we are with another Prius first.
With the new lithium cells which are a direct replacement to the OE 4.4kWh battery cells, my 2013 Prius now has the same battery capacity and EV mile range as that of a 2017-2022 Prius Prime, sometimes more. That matters because if you care about MPG, you don’t just want “hybrid.” You want the EV time to actually show up when you’re driving real life.
Now I am in the process of installing all of the OE cooling parts and wiring to these new battery cells! Next up for me will be the DC Fast charging CHADeMo Port and hardware so I can get a full charge in less than 60 minutes. This is the part where the “easy internet build” stops and the real work starts—routing, cooling, and making everything behave like Toyota intended. Sometimes I think I am the only one thinking this far outside of the box as the Gen 3 Prius has been sold since 2010 and this is the first time a battery upgrade of this size has been accomplished by a normal Prius owner!
If you’re building toward a similar “make it real” setup, you already know the community matters. Hit up fellow Prius owners, compare notes, and don’t just listen to vibes. I’ll say this: when you do the math like we did, the results feel obvious. If you want to keep your high-voltage experiment protected while you tinker, I grabbed a few reliability add-ons too—like this Flylin battery protection board to keep my DIY setup safer while I’m still dialing everything in. This keeps prius plug in hv tied to the real electrical limits instead of treating it like a normal kitchen setup.
Just wait until you see what else I’ve been working on! I guess to say exciting times in my quest to beat a Tesla non dual motor in a street race to win… in the Prius!
Prius Plug in Hv: FAQ about Prius Plug-In HV Battery Upgrades
Prius Plug in Hv: How much range does a Prius plug-in hv battery upgrade give?
I found that going from the OE 4.4kWh cells to the upgraded lithium cell set changes the whole outcome. With my setup, my 2013 Prius now has the same battery capacity and EV mile range as that of a 2017-2022 Prius Prime, sometimes more. That’s the difference between “electric whenever it feels like it” and EV miles you can plan around.
Do I need OE cooling parts when I upgrade a Prius plug-in hv battery?
Yeah—my plan is to install all of the OE cooling parts and wiring to the new battery cells. I learned early that cooling isn’t optional if you want the system to stay stable over time. Once the pack stays happy, your MPG-minded driving gets way easier to repeat.
What’s next after upgrading the Prius plug-in hv battery?
Next up for me will be the DC Fast charging CHADeMo Port and hardware so I can get a full charge in less than 60 minutes. After that, it’s just iteration—testing, improving, and keeping the build honest with real-world outcomes. If you’re tracking with me, I’d also check out Prius plug-in overlanding camping Q&A and the community-focused Prius owners camping meetups so your upgrade journey doesn’t stay trapped in theory.
For new lithium HV batteries for your Prius, check out ProjectLithium. That is the practical reason I still look at prius plug in hv through inverter sizing, battery cables, and real road use.
For related garage-build context, see Prius plug-in overlanding camping Q&A.
For my setup, prius plug in hv only made sense once the inverter and cable sizing were handled correctly.
For the parts bench, I would keep GenBasic solderless jumper wires for prototyping and APPS2Car tablet car mount for workshop setup nearby while working through prius plug in hv.
