what if I can't charge? do I get anything with Prime?

Think of your car as a cell phone or laptop. Does your cell phone or laptop die overtime if it is not fully charged?

 

If you cannot charge very often or not at all, don't worry, you are not the first and you do not harm the traction battery.
In fact, for the PiP, Toyota recommends to leave it at hybrid level of charge when the car will not be used for a long period of time (they did not specify what is long though).
Hopefully future may bring you more charging opportunities.

 

Don't overlook the possibility of using public charging stations on occasion to supplement your regen charging. Some of these are in "Prime" parking locations.

 

you lose the 5th seat in back, and the hatch floor is 3" higher. it looks quite a bit different on the outside, and it's 6" longer, so a little more difficult to park. otherwise, it's pretty much the same car.

 

You're asking good questions. I was trying to get you into the mindset that the battery in the Prime is more or less the same as the battery in anything else. It's just a bigger capacity. Is the battery in a regular Prius harmed when it gets most of its charge through braking?

 

There is a major benefit to the Prime if you do short trips, and then a longer highway trip. You can charge the battery on the highway and use EV mode for the short trips. Pearl S mileage is killed because of my two short trips each morning (about 2.5 km each). I'm averaging 5.5 l/100 km - gas guzzler territory!

 

It's it 6 inches longer than Gen4? Thought it was 4? Maybe the 6 is relative to the Gen3 or PiP?

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Yes, they will. All batteries self discharge over time. In the case of Li-ion, if the charge gets too low, it will not be possible to recharge it, and the battery 'bricks'. This has actually happened to 1 or 2 Tesla Roadsters people bought as an investment, and stored the car without plugging it in.

But in the case of the Prime and other PHEVs, normal hybrid operation will be enough to prevent this. There might be an issue with the battery's lifespan, but that is only concern if you plan to keep the car until wheels fall off, and something else could take the wheels off before battery goes anyway.

So if the lack of the fifth seat, loss of cargo space, or being a little bit longer aren't issues, concern for the battery shouldn't be one for getting a Prime over the Prius for incentives.

 

I live in an apartment but luckily was able to arrange a charging spot at my parking. I appreciate it's not your case.
Charging opportunities are discovered if searched for, in my case after having the car I discovered:
The supermarket we are using for years has two charging spots in its parking lot (free for now).
The mall in a next town has 4 (free for now).
My wife found one at work (free) she had to exchange places with a colleague, that is 3 times a week.
More and more establishments are installing these to capture business.

In short, if you like it, go for it, with the incentives you are getting more for less...

 

keep in mind, when looking at the $4,500. you need to compare to a similar lift back package, and need to qualify for the tax credit, unless you lease.

 

I've been thinking this through myself. I don't have a garage and park on the street, so overnight charging isn't possible. At work, I park in a large garage. I've noticed (amazing what you see when you look for it!) lots of electrical outlets -- probably 4 or five on each floor for pressure washers, etc. Since the Prime can be charged with a regular outlet, these would work fine. I am leaning toward the Prime as a hedge against the future. I figure that there are only going to be more and more charging stations/facilities. They might crop up at Starbucks or gas stations or any old place. I wouldn't rely entirely on the EV, but with the Prime you don't have to. There's also a chance that we will build a garage in the next few years so I'd install a 220 service just for the Prime.

 

maybe it is 4, not sure, it's in the specs thread.

 

Actually, I'm holding out for the Prime PPM (perpetual motion machine).

 

When owning the Prime, don't forget to ask permission to charge in these places.