Toyota working on improved Prius Plug-in as part of the next generation Prius platform

They have an awesome list of links to other releases:

Related Items:

• 2013 Toyota Hybrid World Tour: The Plug-In Challenge
• 2013 Toyota Hybrid World Tour: How Fast Is It?
• 2013 Toyota Hybrid World Tour: How Far Does It Go?
• 2013 Toyota Hybrid World Tour: Going Global
• 2013 Toyota Hybrid World Tour: Toyota Prius - Pop Culture Icon
• 2013 Toyota Hybrid World Tour: Around the World with Lexus Hybrids

Other articles in News Releases:

• . . .
• 2013 Toyota Hybrid World Tour - Satoshi Ogiso <- Very interesting!
• 2013 Toyota Hybrid World Tour: Toyota Hybrids' Environmental Impact
• . . .

Satoshi Ogiso's comments are Toyota's roadmap to the future. One key takeaway for me:

Source: Toyota | 2013 Toyota Hybrid World Tour - Satoshi Ogiso

In fact, his talk is a stellar example of how requirements and research should drive design. Too often I see designs that are built around some 'existing' technology under the belief that COTS can be strung together to make something 'wonderful.' My experience has been these often are more Rube Goldberg with similar reliability and performance issues. "COTS" when finance, not engineering, drives design . . . catalog engineering.

BTW, I quite agree with "highly complicated software." It took nearly two years before I understood the hybrid transmission well enough to describe what is going on. This year I got a handle on the energy flows, another software managed aspect of the Prius.

Bob Wilson

 

I don't quite like it.

Gen IV Prius regular will be developed and will be similar room (perhaps a little more) than Gen III. BUT PHV being developed in parallel? I don't like to know that the PHV vehicle will have greater electric range, less overall range and less space...

I feel like they need to take PHV into a special consideration group and have it slightly different than the regular Prius (like how the V and C are different). Otherwise, same shell less space, less overall mileage? Argh, almost a no thank you

 

I haven't found "more powerful ICE" in this article...

 

I know I was clicking thru them last night. Was it really a Gen1 that caused all the excitement at the Oscars in 2003? They give this bit of PR credit for the entire green car revolution, pretty much...

P.S.- you guys never told me the secret Prius hand signal that Larry David likes

 

This is what stood out for me.

 

The Detroit version uses a single finger . . . sometimes both hands.

Bob Wilson

 

i'm not interested in wireless charging, but i have no idea how many people are. i hope it's an option, or doesn't add much expense.

 

What happens when the battery is shot after only a couple of years? What would that do to resale and trade values? Not like it would ever happen though. Toyota would never put a product into the market where they knew the terms of the warranty would almost assure a replacement or two.

 

We can look at the civic hybrids for this.

If it happened I would hope toyota would find the problem and fix them under waranty. Because of potential problems many lease instead of buy plug-ins. That way if something goes wrong or something much better comes along in 3 years you are covered.

 

Sorry Mate, I didn't realize you are across the pond!

 

The charging losses for it will add up on a car traction battery.

 

Both hands.

You mean like the new CISCO logo?

 

I predict there will be zero upgrades to the existing PIP. First, when has Toyotoa ever done this? Second, they know all the existing PIP owners are early adopters and many will trade in and get a new plug-in...orhand the existing PIP down to another family owner and get a new car. The ones that will keep the car for many years won't be in the market again until the 3rd gen PIP anyway.

Mike

 

I can see how it can be convenient...it takes at least 10 seconds a day to plug in, sometimes 12 seconds. And another few seconds to unplug. Plus the once a month or two when I try to start the car without unplugging. Doing the math, this option will save me 2 hours per year. Wow!
I wonder how much less efficient it is?

Mike

 

wireless charging can be over 90% efficient if you can get the charger close enough to the device. Further away it is worse.

I am sure this is worse than the 90%
Bosch Offers Wireless Electric Car Charging Unit for $3,000 | PluginCars.com

You have to question the cost though. I would expect this to be thousands of dollars. If you have a small battery like the prius say you are charging 3.1kwh a day, over a year 10% loss is about 100 kwh a year. At even 20 cents a kwh that is only $20/year in extra electric charges. But do you want to pay for the extra charger charges?

 

I have no interest in wireless charging. Why? I already invested in a charging station with J1772 connector. So the next car, I expect with a J1772. Expense for me would be ZERO cost.

Toyota can make it a car option if they wanted. Just don't put it in my car. But if they offer DC charging on a BEV they will never sell, then I would pay for it.

 

I agree for a different reason. I want my cars to be emergency/co-generators.

Bob Wilson

 

I don't really want it either...but why couldn't you have wired or wireless charging in the same car? You'd have to, IMO. You would only have the wireless option at your home, most likely. At work and in public places you'd need to have the wired option.

Also, for an emergency generator...could you just tap into the battery somewhere besides the charging port?

Mike

 

In a perfect world, interface to MG2 inverter on the stator side:

• sync rectifier - plug-in mode converting 120/220 AC to DC, traction battery charge
• AC PWM generator - generate 50/60 Hz 120/220 AC for house power

Bob Wilson

 

I'm holding out for the GenV.