Prius Plug-in Hybrid Gets Improved 95 MPGe Rating

Green and cheap have zilch to do with efficiency.

As for the PiP and Volt having similar electric efficiencies -- No.
The Volt IMO will consume at least 10% more energy/mile in a battery-wheel analysis. If you do not think that is a lot, let me remind you that bush and congress refused to sign Kyoto because a 10% decrease in GHG emissions was expected.

 

That's unfortunate, but easily squashed before Earth Day.

I'm setup to begin filming my drives right away.

Lots of real-world video should be quite informative.
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john1701a, I'm looking forward to videos.

Right now, I'm pretty disappointed by the released figures, because I was pretty excited when 15 miles of pure EV was announced by the Toyota. My drive to work and back is about 13 miles and I passed a new Leaf, which I could have gotten for 3000 EUR discount. Now I find out, that the distance couldn't be reached with pure EV and even these 11 miles are blended mode. I would have to get an engine warmed up every day, which will consume a considerable amount of gasoline, which I don't want consumed.
I've been riding my pure electric Vectrix for more than 3.5 years now. I'm feeling like I'm doing a step backwards by purchasing a PiP as it looks right now. I don't care about the combined efficiency. I care to drive pure electric, since the gasoline costs almost 1.8 EUR/ liter over here, which equates to 8.9 US$/gallon.

I'll be driving a pre-production PiP in a week for a week and I'll see how it goes. I also hope john1701a will calm my concerns.

 

If you need the space of an SUV, go Prius family (V or PHV) for your hybrid. Volt only seats 4, Leaf 5, but neither are as roomy as a Prius.
Since you already have a recent Prius, if that can haul the family for long trips and such, you could consider the EV/EREV/PHEV for the commute and ditch the SUV. Leaf + Prius is a powerfully efficient family.

If your trip is 90 miles without recharge the PHV will be more efficient than a Volt. (Using EPA estimates, I compute 53.0MPG for a Prius, 48.4 for Volt). A Leaf might work for you though depends on the weather and your driving (EPA is only 75m). In my view, if you could make the Leaf work, then you would be getting better than average milage in the Prius (though you might learn to slow down with the Leaf because you HAVE to, that is not a good place to be). If work was willing to let you charge (I'd recommend you offer to pay for it, and if there is a plug in the garage, it may be very cheap for them to allow it). Even charging on 120v if you work 8 hours you'll get a big boost.
If you got full charge at both ends then your 90 mile commute would have 56MPGe for Prius PHV and 70 for the Volt. If you only get 8hrs of 120v charging then you'll get more like 56 MPGe for the Prius and 63MPGE for the Volt.

If you can charge at both ends a Leaf or iMev should be a cake walk in terms of range (even using 120v to charge) and should yield with 99 and 101 MPGe respectively. Since you have a Prius already, that could be used for longer trips. The Leaf is reasonable for 5, I've not been in an IMev, but the seem smaller based on the specs and what I've read. Of course a Model S would be even nicer and roomier (but way pricer)

 

I would believe 20% if charging from 120V, but 15% should more realistic if using 240V charging. Personally, I would not consider the PiP without 240V charging since with the small battery one will very often come home depleted and want to be able to top off quickly before the next errand. Cutting recharge time in half is key.

IMO, LEAF is basically identical to Prius liftback in terms of passenger space - just slightly less cargo room in the hatch. Nissan needs to reduce the size of the charger and that'd even it up nicely. There's even room for them to drop the floor of the trunk a by at least 3-5 inches, but I suspect that some people don't like a really low floor (in which case make the cargo organizer standard?)

 

Looking forward to videos.

I've seen your posts with some type of scan-gauge. Expect that will continue to work on the production PHV for at least the critical elements so I'm hoping for more than just test drive videos.. Data Data we want data.. :cheer2:


Have you tried the Android Torque? I know usbseawolf and others have a prius specific version, and from other threads I see it works on Gen III.

I've played with its video overlay feature and find it useful. (But need to get a better mount to hold the cam steady.. that and I need to get more PIDs for the Volt.. but that's an different problem).

 

I understand what you're saying and I'm familiar with those facts due to this excellent forum, but 14-15 miles of EV range capable would get me to work and back without having to turn on the ICE, because my drive is 12-13 miles.
11 miles of EV range would start the ICE's warming up right before the end of my journey so I would drive another mile with ICE. Now that is a waste of gasoline and the most toxic exhaust is created in the warm up stage, when the cat converter is not hot yet. It also consumes a lot of gasoline in warming up cycle and is not good for the engine.

 

Exactly that's what I will be testing in a week's time with preproduction PiP.

 

I surely will I will also make videos and I'll post them here.

 

Nissan says you lose 20% capacity in 5 years. 73 thats is 58.4 mile range in 5 years. If it is cold or hot out that is already getting sketchy IMO, but I keep cars a long time.

 

20% in just five years sure seems like a lot. Maybe the PiP will see that too (but I hope not worse).

Could it be that the makers of these rather expensive cars don't expect the original owners to keep them (or be entertained by them) much longer after 5 years?

 

i bet with toyota's experience, they won't lose that much. nissan kinda had to run the leaf out there to keep promises they made with less experience than toyota. like honda and the civic debacle.

 

Yep.. I forgot to mention the reduced range (though the posters needs were more like 45.. ). Nissan is using a lot more of their pack, no thermal management and with QC and 100% charges will eat its battery much faster. (The EPA 72 was on 100% charge).


To be honest it was a factor in my choice of a PHEV over a BEV. Not just the range reduction but also potential resale (though I expect to keep it for 15+ years.. ya never know for sure). If a PHEV like the Prius PHV or Volt's battery lose range, its still a usable car that can go as far you need (good for resale and just usage). Even if the Prius PHV looses range, it will still likely be a good 50mph car.. (and with a much smaller pack it will be cheaper to replace).

 

Mate, this topic is creating a lot of in-fightings among the seemingly peaceful community. I am somewhat glad the PiP is not coming to Australia, but the Volt is because potential buyers wouldn't need to troll through forums like this one and end up even more confused! Moreover, the Volt is getting a lot of negative press here because we are a V8 and utes loving nation, so we've been told by the media.

I envy you all in US as there seems to be choice galore of hybrids and EVs, at reasonable price too. Just enjoy whatever cars you have, no need to bash each other... Remember what the Prius community stands for in the first place: spread awareness of being an oil independent society through the use of energy efficient vehicle, like the Prius, Volt, Leaf, etc etc.

Have a good day.

GT-I9100T ?

 

My plan is to trade-in my 2010 Prius on the 2012 Plug-in Prius. My motivation is the carpool lane sticker; I want to get home earlier to spend more time with my kids. I respect the Leaf, but I don't feel confident with its limited range and my lifestyle. Sometimes I have my 80 mile commute and I need to drive to a business meeting somewhere, and I don't want to wait two hours for my car to be ready.

I've always kept my cars about eight years; this is the first (and probably only) time I'll trade in a new car.

I feel that the enemy here is gas-guzzling cars. Whether someone uses a small Yaris or biodiesel or CNG or hybrid or EV, they're doing their part to solve the problem.

I enjoy this discussion; the analysis of maximum efficiency is fascinating and educational.

 

Keep in mind in your testing the battery pack was bigger in the pre-production version.