I have a 2010, the EV mode ( as you know) takes a certain amount of time before it kicks in,depending on the weather. I do a lot of very short(3 mi) trips. I am interested in the plugin model. What could I expect?
The car will default to EV mode. EV mode in the PiP is quite different than in a regular Prius. With a full charge, you can go aprox. 15 miles in all electric. After it is exhausted the car will run in HV mode like a regular Prius. If you want to go out of EV, like getting on a highway and preserve EV for when you get off the highway again, you can deselect EV mode. If you floor the car, or go up a real steep hill or require heat in the car the engine may come on and shut off again when not needed. Basically it's like a regular Prius that lets you go 15 miles in EV mode when you want/need it. Seems your short 3 hours trips are great for a PiP. Charge time is 3 hours with the included 110v charger. Time is reduced to 1 1/2 hours using a 240v Level II evse (charger). There are more variables on when it will go in HV etc but that's a quick idea... You can read the manual for the 2012 PRius plug-in here: http://priuschat.com/forums/toyota-prius-plug-in/103349-owners-manual-pip-out.html
Yes, it will default to EV mode with no warmup. If the car sits outside and it is below freezing or parked in full sun on a blazing hot day (it's all in the manual and discussed in the thread I referenced) it may need to run the engine and cancel EV mode. Check out the thread or read through the manual at your leisure for full specs and information.
It's me again. I was reading the manual and found this. ●During gasoline engine warm-up ●When the temperature of the hybrid battery (traction battery) is high or low ●During hybrid battery (traction battery) charging ●When the heater is switched on *: Depending on the circumstances, the gasoline engine may also not stop automatically in situations other than those above. My questions are, is the warmup period the same as 2010? and and in cold weather, the heater is always on(or is only when it is turned on initially?) CAUTION■
Warmup will be similar to 2010. Cannot say the same yet, but same idea. Heater on = HV mode, since the heat comes from the ICE. However, you may be able to leave heater off and use the heated front seats only. If so, then heater is off.
Where's Marblehead? If it's in a cool/cold region and you like to be comfortable, the engine will start/run to provide heat to the cabin.
Thank you. It's north of Boston.Although it seems to me that the EV mode in my 2010(after engine is warm) stays on even with heater going. So if the PIP does the same, I'll be satisfied.
When you need heat it will run the engine to get heat. Then, like the Gen III, unless you're requesting ALOT of heat it will cycle on and off. It operates quite like a Gen III Prius with extended EV range.
