2nd Gen Prius Plug-In already in the works? September 2016 release noted

The MSRP decrease between the gen1 and gen2 Volt upon introduction is around $9000. I don't foresee GM having much hardship in dropping it further by the time the federal credits are gone.

The Prius plug in was designed for the Japanese market; it was where Toyota expected to sell the most cars. Its design was liely ment to optimize incentives there.

 

What's the basis for that claim?

I posted a slide before from a SAE article that showed PiP was designed for Europe, Japan and US.

 

That makes more sense now. When I see 30 miles range, I assume we are talking EPA range and not Japanese rating. I fully expect the next generation to have at least 20 miles of range, and perhaps a few miles more. 30 EPA miles seems unreasonable though, as they aren't trying to be compared to the Volt.

I agree with all of your above wish list items for the next generation in that it would fit my desires in a car perfectly. The current PiP falls about 1 mile short of completing my commute in EV mode during the winter, and barely completes it in the summer. If I could get 5 miles more range, that would make most of my trips doable in EV mode alone. There are also some hills that I'm just barely able to maintain a reasonable speed in EV mode, and sometimes accidentally cross over into gas mode.

 

FYI the recent new post owner of the 2 eco seems to imply highway speeds motor goes off when batt charged and MPG goes up.

As far as Toyota strategy, I assume they don't feel it's profitable to go after PHEV/EV sales, especially with the hot market their plants are stuffed. I do not know what the end game is, but Toyota is a top seller in CA, so that gives them some room to pay credits. Also, some are wondering if the hot market is peaking now.

 

Can the PIP be plugged into any old regular wallplug or does it need a special set up?

The reason I ask is that at my work parking garage I always see a Tesla parked on different levels and always plugged into the wall plug charging up? I figure this might be an option for me if the PIP (2) can be charged in this fashion?

 

PiP is regular plug unless you upgrade your system (oops I don't own a PiP but that's what I know) it's 12 amps.

EDIT: it's 12 amp see PiP FAQ sticky thread

 

Yes, the charger that ships in Canada and the US for the Plug-in Prius has a regular 120 V plug. It takes about 2.5 hours or so over 120 V for a full charge.

If you have a 240 V charger available (like many parking lots), it can charge in about 1.5 hours. It can't charge at more than 240 V.

Toyota doesn't recommend an extension cord, but if you stick to a 12 AWG cord in the 25 foot range or less, you're fine. I keep a 15 foot extension cord in my trunk, since I don't always get the parking spot next to an outlet. The 15 foot extension cord allows me to use an adjacent spot. I don't keep a 25 foot cord, just because I don't need it, and it's heavier. (12 gauge extension cords are very thick.)

 

you need a 120v plug that isn't using much else at the same time. toyota says dedicated, but as long as the wiring and circuit breakers are up to date, no problem if you're not running anything else on the circuit, when charging.

 

I don't think a Gen 2 PiP stands much chance in 2016: Gas prices have fallen, all of the CA green stickers are gone, and there are loads of EV alternatives. And, Toyota HQ has moved to Texas, which makes me doubt Toyota's commitment to the environment.

Wow. A lot has happened since 2012. A PiP with 30-50 miles of electric range would still be a very compelling option, but it doesn't look like Toyota will offer that.

 

I just want 20+ miles (and the other stuff mentioned above). I don't really need 30-50 miles, nor do I want to pay for that either.

And when gas prices are low, that's when incentives on hybrids and plug-ins are often the best. For example, we just bought a RAV4 Hybrid a few weeks ago, and we got 0.99% financing on it, plus enough Aeroplan airmiles points for a short haul domestic flight. Nice.

 

I agree except it looks like California might come the rescue with more green HOV stickers. Otherwise PHEV in total I think is having hard times.

 

There might be some sweet deals on the new Prius PHEV, but it will come. I don't Toyota reaching their ZEV quota with the Mirai alone.

 

The words California and rescue is an oxymoron when used together in a sentence. I only trust CA to rescue people from their money and their liberty.

HOV is a stupid idea. Fuel efficient vehicles clogging up HOV lanes is a corruption of the stupid idea.

 

fuel efficiency in general, doesn't stand much of a chance, without government policy. have you looked at vehicle sales numbers recently?

 

Take your politics somewhere else, like, to China. You would LOVE China, because they don't have any leftist "anti-pollution" regulations at all! You can pollute all you want in China, and there's no pesky government to get in your way! Isn't that what you want? Isn't that just a dream?

California began its strict emissions regulations in the 1970's, when the LA basin was covered in smog. LA's air now is vastly cleaner than it was in the 70's, BECAUSE California created clean air vehicle requirements.

But you think that's stupid, so go move to Beijing and breathe in the air.

 

It's funny to see how stupid the American consumer is.

How many times do we see trends of huge SUV sales, followed by the SUV owners whining like babies when gas prices go up?

Now that gas prices are so low, what is the one thing that's most likely to happen? An increase, or a decrease?

 

OK well that's good if you see a rationale for selling PiP2 in CA even without HOV.

free HOV might not make sense, except for one key finding - discovered in Virginia for hybrids - is that cars that qualify for free HOV sell like hot cakes (in areas with big traffic jams)

 

I'm specifically talking about CA HOV and access to it, since that was brought up by someone else. I don't see how HOV and emission standards are related. There doesn't appear to be evidence that HOV infrastructure improves environmental quality, and some studies suggest just the opposite. Allowing a few wealthy people (those able to afford a new PiP) to single-occupy a high occupancy lane in a vehicle that is best suited to be stuck in stop and go traffic is corruption of an already misguided idea.

To your point of early emission regulation; dense urban areas in the late 70's needed regulation to address the poor air quality that was negatively impacting health.

A person doesn't have to adopt an all or nothing attitude towards regulation or subsidy. Each one can be examined for merit and be accepted or rejected.

 

If the government stopped subsidizing oil companies and held them responsible for keeping the water tables clean where they frac, gas prices would take care of consumer efficiency demands without government intervention.

 

you got that right. unfortunately, not gonna happen. so we need offsetting incentives. coke brothers will never stop trying to squash alt fuels.