Plug-in Cable for Prius Prime

Who exactly said that ?
If it was any kind of dealership or car lot, you should complain LOUDLY to the owner, not some "sales manager" monkey.
And if it was a Toyota dealer, you should complain directly to Toyota.
They are screwing you over, plain and simply.

Tires are "removable items" too.

 

I purchased a standard 220v charging cable off ebay for 95.00. You can spend a couple of hundred dollars. I saw one person take the 110 cable and convert it to 220 by simply putting 110v on each leg of the 110 plug. Not sure if this will work or not. The Prime uses an Industry standard 220Volt 16A 3X Faster EVSE J1772. I saw some on ebay for about 150.00 with shipping. Much nicer being able to charge my Prius in 2 hours instead of 5 hours. I often charge my car several times a day. I figured that when the engine is not running the oil changes go much farther than the 10k recommendation. You'll have to do your own calculations based on your driving history.

 

"...industry standard 220Volt 16A 3X Faster EVSE J1772"
The industry standard is 240 volts.
The charger inside the Prime tells the 240 volt power supply to send no more than 16 amperes.
3X Faster? Not quite 3 times faster on 240 than on 120V @ 12 amps.
EVSE is Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment, one of the correct names for the charging station.
J1772 is the North American SAE standard for the charging coupler. There are about 8 different configurations of charging couplers used around the world.

Normal power supplied to a household in North America is 3 wires, two 120 volt hot lines 180° out of phase with each other plus a neutral line. 120 volt power is one of the 120 volt hot lines plus the neutral. 240 volt power is both hot lines. A safety ground is always used. So, yes, connecting both 120 volt lines to the plug mentioned will either (a) charge much faster, or (b) result in smoke leaving the unit and the unit no longer works.

Does everyone understand the smoke theory of electricity? Electricity is actually smoke circulating inside the wires. If you do something that lets the smoke out, then the device doesn't work any more. I've proven this theory several times.

 

LOL! You got it! When I was a factory electrical supervisor, one of my more tedious responsibilities was sending motors out for repair. But I tried to make that job at least a little fun. If it was a bad bearing, I just wrote on the repair tag "bad bearing." If it was burned out windings, I said, "Blue smoke escaped. Please replace blue smoke." The motors always came back in good working order.

 

Can you return the car as “not fit for purpose” ?

 

Floor mats are removable. Wheel covers are. Heck seats are easily removeable. Etc.

If it is a branded dealer, keep pushing on them. (again, a small dealership will just say you bought it "as-is" and you're out of luck - but if there is a corporate to complain to, you have a better chance)
You bought a plug-in hybrid, yet have no ability to plug it in - I think that could stand up in court, if it came down to it. Threatening a small-claims court case would be my near final step. They'll say "as-is", you can claim deceptive advertising. Imagine buying a 4x4, but the previous owner removed a portion of the driveline. Etc.

 

Works that way in electronics too....only for low voltage DC the smoke tends to be off-white in color.

You can drive a dual-fuel Prius for a looooooong time without the EVSE, and the fact that this equipment is missing might not be obvious upon a casual inspection of the car.

This is a USED car.
Those CAN BE little different than new cars that are sold at a dealer....but some things always stay the same.

People lie.

This is why used car sales persons enjoy the same solid reputation for honesty and integrity as the folks who sell new cars, and I'm just guessing here but I'll betcha that the OP either signed papers or saw a sticker on the car that had some variation of "AS IS - No Warranty" or perhaps something stating that only the balance of the OEM warranty is applicable.

Caveat Emptor.

You can pitch a damnit about it.
You can become their social media nightmare.
You can complain to the BBB, the BBC, or your local bartender - and the OP actually DID.....but it sorta looks to me like they are going to be spending another $300 for an EVSE, and (spoiler alert!) it's almost certainly because whoever SOLD the car also SOLD the EVSE......either that or the original owner had their EVSE stolen and decided to go wireless for their next car.

We have 52 different states with different laws governing how used cars are sold - and the OP might actually have a legal recourse.............BUT (1) generally speaking the seller is not the best source of information about these laws and (B) they are often more knowledgeable about them than their victims.
HOWEVER (comma!) at the end of the day????
It's the BUYER's responsibility to check on things like this before they take ownership.

 

"It's the BUYER's responsibility to check on things like this before they take ownership."

You get what you inspect, not what you expect.

 

Unfortunately, this is pretty much correct.

Getting to what is "right" will depend upon how you can sweet talk (negotiate with) the dealer.

Frankly, I didn't take my time when looking over the used Prius I bought from a Toyota dealer. It's a mistake I plan not to repeat.
I ended up with only one smart key, no trunk "deck board" and a missing cargo cover.

I WAS able to get the dealer to cut me a deal on the second smart key - half of list price.
Turns out the cargo cover I was imagining doesn't come with the "Three" trim level Prius.
I'm chasing the deck board, maybe the salesman will "find" me one out of some other car on the lot.

All in all - not too bad, but buyers DO have to make sure they know what should come with the car and point it out BEFORE agreeing upon a price or signing anything. If the salesman stonewalls you - you can turn on your heel and take your business elsewhere. Not so easy after you've take possesion.

In your case, I'd make it clear that the matter is NOT closed and that you plan to scream from the rafters (AKA - social media, Google Reviews, your local newspaper, local TV station, every friend and neighbor, people at the barber shop, etc) that "(In my humble opinion) XYZ Toyota Dealer screws people over!!!" as well as taking your maintenance business AND next Prius purchase to competitor.

 

Legally, Dealer sold as is.

If purchased from aToyota Dealer, go in and let them know they have 5 minutes to get you a Stock 120volt OEM Charger Cable that comes standard with a new Prius Prime...or you're walking out and contacting corporate.

They'll say "blah blah blah". Smile, take out your phone and set timer for 5 minutes. Then say I'll wait her for you to get me my charger cable.

You'll either get the 120V stock Charger Cable or walk out and have to contact Corporate Toyota.

This is more an issue of being a Good Upfront Toyota Dealer then letter of the law. It should have come with one even if used.

I personally wouldn't get to worked up but also wouldn't let it go until the dealer gave me the 120V charger Cable.

My thumbs work just fine for Dealership Corporate Reviews, Local Online/App Marketplace Reviews, and emails to Corporate Toyota.

Good look. You'll get your Charging Cable if you are firm and persistent.

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