Are Plug-In Hybrid conversions dangerous?
Without the sophisticated engineering and testing that occurs by automakers, it’s impossible to fully know if a conversion is any more dangerous than a stock car. A lot will also depend on the quality of construction and care taken during a do it yourself conversion. The battery pack has high DC voltage that can be dangerous and even deadly if not respected. Only persons trained in working with high voltage electrical systems should work on Plug-In Hybrids or traditional hybrids for that matter. Perhaps the biggest concern is how the additional weight and mass (batteries) added to the rear of the vehicle will behave in the event of an accident. While companies selling conversion components are now beginning to do crash testing of the battery box, ultimately it’s the responsibility of the vehicle owner to decide if the benefit of having a Plug-In Hybrid conversion is work the additional risk of having systems that have not undergone the level of engineering and safety that automakers pu
