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Battery strength

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by rjs1956, May 19, 2009.

  1. rjs1956

    rjs1956 New Member

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    With each succeeding model the HP from the electric engine has gone up; 1st: 44 hp, 2nd: 67 hp, 3rd: 80 hp (from Wikipedia). What I'm wondering is if the battery holds more power. I understand that Toyota has been able to make the packs smaller which I assume is due to higher energy density. So if the 2010 model puts out 80 hp and the 1st gen puts out 44 hp I am wondering if the battery drains in 1/2 the time assuming the battery holds as much power. Any comment or insights (non-Honda) would be appreciated.

    In my 2003 Prius I can cruise at 35MPH on a flat road for about a mile before the battery indicator goes down indicating it needs a charge. In the 2010 would that be much different?
     
    #1 rjs1956, May 19, 2009
  2. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    Physical battery is the same between Gen II and Gen III with the same Amp-Hour rating. Cooling was improved to improve output. Unless the new electric powertrain uses electricity more efficiently, the battery capacity may be used more quickly if it's being allowed to put out power more quickly.
     
    #2 HTMLSpinnr, May 19, 2009
  3. rjs1956

    rjs1956 New Member

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    Thanks. That is pretty much what I expected. So the newer gen's have the capacity to draw more electric power than 1st gen, and therefore you can accelerate on electric alone to higher speeds before the gas engine kicks in but all-electric cruise range is not much different.
     
    #3 rjs1956, May 19, 2009
  4. Gilbert

    Gilbert Member

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    When i test drove the 2010 in san francisco, I asked the person with me why did they reduce the electric driving range from upto 41MPH to 20something and he told me because the hybrid battery was smaller than the previous gen..
     
    #4 Gilbert, May 19, 2009
  5. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    EV mode is limited to 25 mph, however out of EV mode, you can run w/o the ICE kicking in at up to 42mph. This is an MG1 speed limitation more than anything else and you have to baby it (and have a good SOC) to get the engine to shut off at that speed range.

    The speed difference is more likely to *preserve* longevity of the battery pack rather than to address "limited capacity".
     
    #5 HTMLSpinnr, May 19, 2009
  6. ken1784

    ken1784 SuperMID designer

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    The battery capacity is 6.5Ah 201.6V, same as Gen-2.
    However, the battery power is increased from 25kW to 27kW.

    Ken@Japan
     
    #6 ken1784, May 20, 2009
  7. hobbit

    hobbit Senior Member

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    Yeah, but I'll bet the breakover point to light the ICE is still
    around 10 kW even in the third-gen... because that's the point
    where bringing in the engine to help can be done efficiently.
    .
    _H*
     
    #7 hobbit, May 20, 2009
  8. jprates

    jprates https://ecomove.pt

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    The battery can deliver some more instant power, and I suspect the European model even delivers more (I'm waiting for Toyota-Europe confirmation on this) because the announced maximum power for the European model is 136 hp and not just 134 hp as in the American version.

    The thing you are looking for I guess is the origin of the power to feed the bigger and more powerful electrical motor. Is that it?

    The answer to this question is simple: The ICE. You have to remember that MG2 can be fed both from the battery and from MG1. Although the battery maximum output power is almost the same as the previous version, the ICE can give a lot more work done and make MG1 generate a lot more power to feed MG2.

    This HSD architecture is unique to Toyota/Lexus, no other hybrid can do this. The HSD can feed MG2 both from battery and MG1 at the same time. The extra power of MG2 is being fed from the ICE extra power by rotating MG1 faster.

    Did I answer your question?
     
    #8 jprates, May 20, 2009
  9. ken1784

    ken1784 SuperMID designer

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    They are 136ps and 134hp, exact same power in different units (100kW).

    Ken@Japan
     
    #9 ken1784, May 20, 2009
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  10. jprates

    jprates https://ecomove.pt

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    Ahhhh!!!! I had never noticed that small detail! Thanks Ken! ;)
     
    #10 jprates, May 20, 2009
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