Lots of low mileage driving - will this ruin a Prius battery?

ya, you might need a battery tender, these 12volts are even more sensitive than normal. a pip would be perfect for you though. on second thought, the battery doesn't mind short trips as much as it doesn't like not being driven for days at a time. with short trips, you won't likely get the epa mpg.

 

PlugInPrius, your driving is a lot like mine, and i drive mostly electric, but the gas is there for those hundred mile trips.correctamundo!ford cmax energi is a little closer to the prius c, and has a plug.

 

Remember that a Prius has two batteries: a common (though smaller than normal) 12V battery, and a big high voltage traction battery.

The Prius 12V battery will probably suffer similar issues as the 12V in your other car. Because it is mounted inside the passenger compartment air space, it is an AGM type with vent tube to the outside, somewhat more expensive than regular car batteries.

The traction battery, the expensive one, should not have any problem with your use style.

But at your short commute distance, are walking or bicycling reasonable options? These would be even better than any Prius.

 

Given your usage patterns, a plugin model of anything probably wouldn't justify the extra cost.
BUT an automatic 12 V small battery charger for ANY car that you use would be a good idea......including your present car until you trade.
It would be connected overnight (or until the "full" light comes on) in any week that you do not make a 100 mile trip more or less continuously.

Have you considered an electric bicycle or small scooter ??
Seriously. Both can be good options.

 

OK, then you NEED a small automatic charger, regardless of what kind of car you have or get.
That is assuming that you have a parking place close to a power outlet.

P.S. showing in your profile that you ALREADY have a C might be a tad confusing at some point.

 

I realize that biking isn't for everyone or everywhere, but can't let you off that easy ...

When I was bike commuting, work was 17-18 miles away. I didn't pedal that more than twice a week, but numerous others did. And the average one-way distance for fellow pedalers was more than 5 miles. But this is also a very bike-friendly area, many other locations are downright hostile.

A major part of regular cycling is learning the good bicycle routes, which are often quite different than the equivalent driving routes.

Is 'Other non-hybrid' visible? You can still change it.

 

Yet I see that you have found the proper choice now !!

 

Maybe Volt? about 200km per charge vs prius plugin only 40km per charge...

 

Maybe. I considered a Volt but owners report a really LOT of annoying problems with them; some serious and some not so much.

 

My driving pattern is pretty much the same (1-2 miles to work, same back), plus supermarket trip twice a month. Doesn't matter to me, the 12V battery should just work.

 

No harm to the batteries, but not good for the engine. Driving like that, the oil temp never gets hot enough to evaporate moisture and contaminants from combustion. This leads to sludge build up, and premature engine wear. About once per week, you should get it good and hot.

 

Well it DOES matter to you. Your 12 V is working.......now. It might not work for long without a change in your driving habits though (or an additional maintenance step that most don't have to do). When you design a machine like this, you can not engineer for EVERY possible different usage pattern. This situation is not unique to the Prius among hybrids. It even happens to a conventional car design, it just happens easier and more often with the smaller battery.

Actually it probably will harm both.
A good 30 mile run once a week will probably take care of both issues.
Every two weeks and less than 30 miles probably won't get it over the long run.

Bottom line: If you can't or won't change your driving pattern, you NEED to use the "severe service" recommendation for oil changes AND you NEED to fully charge the battery somehow once a week.

 

Will the 12V battery charge in EV mode/engine off but car on?

 

By that, do you mean pushing the power button without having your foot on the brake ?

I think the answer is NO because once the car is truly ON the engine will run if it needs to........for a host of different reasons and only one reason is to propel the car down the road.

If you put it in RUN mode, which really is ON for everything, then is will charge the 12 V from the other battery and then run the engine when the HV battery gets low. I don't think it will do any of that if not in the RUN mode.

 

He means EV not accessory.

 

i don't see why not.