My PHEV PRIUS Test: Apples vs Oranges

These are prototype/demo vehicles. Production version may be different.

It doesn't have NiMH. It has 3 lithium battery packs packaged together. In theory, they can separate the sub-packs and put them in the center console (between drive and passenger seats) like the Prius+ in Europe. The plugin prototype has all 3 packs under the cargo floor.

Here is a link with a lot of information: Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle (Prius PHV)

For the 3 days he had, he covered 63 miles with electricity from the grid.

 

Have they hinted that they'll be releasing any production model specs when they open the wait list tomorrow?

 

No, hopefully they release the spec and pricing soon!

 

Is there going to be a deposit required such as the Nissan Leaf did of $99?

 

Nice, so with this kind of numbers an upgrade in 2012 makes sense.

 

nice option but still disappointed that they are not offering battery pack upgrades like the Tesla S. i mean like give the people the chance to pay for what they want!

 

Will the PHEV have a spare tire?

 

Good question. I personally haven't used in a spare in about 20 years. From what I heard, no spare. Can of fix-a-flat.

 

While I do carry a can of fix-a-flat you probably don't want to use it unless you absolutely must. If you have cell reception, call AAA if your spare is out.

If you are in the middle of nowhere a can of fix o flat will work. But once you use it, tire shops won't touch it to repair it. Replacement is the only option.

 

Weird. Never used the fix-a-flat either. Always plugged the tires myself. Even a rental, then I used whoever I was close enough to fill the tire up. Even been to a firehouse, where they filled it up enough for me to get to air station. I have AAA too, just never used them yet for that or for the battery jump.

 

This tpfun poster is making a joke out of this forum.
:ban:

 

Funny enough, there is another portuguese tester that found that at our practical HWY limit (120km/h real), activating cruise control set to 130km/h, did show keeping charge of EV.

Probably i did not get there (speed), or was not paying attention to the MFD.

 

Interesting thread. We just got our Leaf a few weeks ago. We were one of the first in Texas to get it. I've been watching the Prius PHV model for a while, even rode in one at the Green Drive Expo in San Francisco a few months back. I'd love to have one, it would be the perfect vehicle for me since I only drive about 10 miles per day. My wife drives the Leaf since she drives 40 miles per day so we figured that made more sense.

Unfortunately, this vehicle won't be available in my area for at least 2 years I believe. So I'm trying to get a second leaf so that we are both driving electric cars. I'll probably be able to score a second Leaf before I could get this Prius PHV.

 

You can buy a Prius plug-in if you live in Texas, you just have to buy it from another state. A small price to pay in order to be first in Texas.

 

Can't wait to see what these will cost.

 

With the high probability over >100mpg runs one would think it would be a priority.

Maybe add the infinity symbol when cruising all EV.

 

Adding battery packs would increase EV mode distance, but would also degrade Hybrid mode mileage on a longer trip similar to Chevy Volt (37 mpg after EV).

I agree with the above quote, but it would be inconceivable if Toyota were to leave the most important information in the display As is. I think that Toyota will redesign the display with an extra digit. With the Leaf and the Volt out there, Prius drivers are going to need to know if their mileage is 99.99mpg, 112mpg, etc.. or the car is going to really frustrate anybody(myself included) anytime it reads 99.99mpg. Prius drivers/hypermilers would go nuts with the current display. Hypermilers may be able to put some really impressive numbers for Prius bragging rights against the Leaf and the Volt. I say, give them the tool they need!.

About 2 months ago, it was: "The EV button is missing" and Toyota came out to calm fears that the EV button is going to be in the production model.
Now, "the extra digit is missing", hopefully, Toyota will come out to affirm the extra digit sooner than later.

 

Not true in that extent. Adding weight does not degrade that much.
Take a look at
http://www.cmu.edu/me/ddl/publicati...aras-Hauffe-Michalek-PHEV-Weight-Charging.pdf


Volt CS mode consumption has to do with design flaws.

 

Yeah my display has been stuck on 99.9 for about 350 miles now, and it's kind of annoying! I wonder if the PHV will came with a nav unit that has better data on it?