Heat pump, and remote AC, but no preheating???

so you get the same miles per charge all year round?

no idea, i'm not a lawyer. we'll find out when we get to dig into the new o/m.

 

That's irrelevant to what I said. I see this loss even once the engine has been fully warm for a long time, and I've tested it by coasting down a hill.

For example, in the summer, if I start at the top of that hill at 40mph and coast (clutch in), I'm at 52mph at the bottom. Same thing in the winter and I'm at 27 at the bottom - with the same tire pressure and with no wind.

In other words, it simply takes more energy to move when its colder. Not only is the air denser but tire rolling resistance is substantially higher.

 

Of course not, there are more variables outside of battery temperatures during charging and before driving off that reduce a car's efficiency in cold weather, but the system does allow more kWh into the battery from charging, and its charging and discharging efficiency will better at the beginning of a drive than if the battery temp was just kept above freezing.

 

still, a difficult thing to pull off in a 27k vehicle.

 

That has been the heart of the problem with Volt, ever since the reveal way back in 2007. Doing all that was promised for "nicely under $30,000" defied logic. Yet, enthusiasts proclaimed it was realistic and attacked those who pointed out anything to the contrary.

 

Here's an idea. EVSE/Block heater integration. Why not just have a single protected electrical source and eliminate the dangling extension cord thing on the other end of the car. Make it controllable (if installed) from the MFD and the remote apps. The heat-pump still has a minimum temperature below which you will need the ICE for heat and those are the temperatures where a block heater is good for reducing wear and tear on your engine too.

 

good one! @Prius Team, take notice!

 

Prius PHV already delivers a design that greatly exceeds what a traditional vehicle can deliver for reducing wear and tear on the engine. Prius Prime will improve upon that. Where's the benefit of going so far beyond need?