PHV means "Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle". It's the universal standard established to identify all plug-in hybrids. It will become quite useful over time, as other automakers offer their own models. That's a much better way to distinguish the difference between the plug-in and the regular model than an abbreviation unique to each hybrid. In other words, I haven't been and have no intentions to support PIP. Past experience has made it overwhelming clear that newbies have no idea what the heck you are referring too, since the same convention was used to differentiate traditional models from hybrids and it was quite ineffective. Keep your audience in mind. PIP means "Picture In Picture" for anyone familiar with television. PIP also already refers to the measurement of fuel on the Prius gas gauge. PHV is distinct, yet can be used across the industry. Any hybrid that offers a plug as a package-option needs some type of simple identifier. PHV will work well for that.
Ok John, so far there are 3 vehicles availble in this category. listed in release order: Chevrolet Volt/Vauxhall Ampera (US/European) Fisker Karma Toyota Plug in Prius It's a short list so far... we'll see what else actually gets released. FYI, PHV has other meanings as well, there is no perfect term... PHV - What does PHV stand for? Acronyms and abbreviations by the Free Online Dictionary.
I still think of Pip as the Dickens character; What about PHEV? The IRS uses that, as does fueleconomy.gov and there are less possible definitions in the free dictionary.
I agree 100%, but it amazes me how few people even know what a non-PHV Prius does, let alone the new PHV. Here's a question I was asked yesterday, to which I didn't know the answer: does a non-PHV Prius have a traditional car battery, or does it just have the hybrid battery pack? In 2008 my hybrid pack failed after a year in my 07 Prius, but I was able to drive it home and to the dealership, although the trans acted weird. That led me to assume that there's a standard battery in there somewhere. Same with the PHV?
Toyota has put the name Prius PHV. "PHV" itself is just as adequate as "v" or "c"... RIP PiP, hey PHV! LOL LOL
Well PHV is not a "standard" term, just what Toyota used. In the SAE standard J1715 “Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) & Electric Vehicle (EV) Terminology" The proposed standard terms are show in this diagram (taken from this talk) So the proper term is Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle or the acronym PHEV. The Volt and Karma are both EREV's which are subclass of PHEV. PHEV was actually a term in the 2008 revision, the 2012 will add EREV.
Nope, I'm not going along with you guys. In the first place, it's both PHEV and PHV (nobody can decide, it seems), and just because that's the drivetrain designation it doesn't mean I need to call it that. I don't drive a Prius Atkinson, either. Not to school you, but... No average consumer knows what a PHEV is, but millions of consumers know that a Prius is a hybrid car, and virtually all of them will immediately understand that a Plug-in Prius is a hybrid car that you can plug in to an electrical outlet. PiP, with a lower case i, can be readily understood as an acronym for the very understandable, consumer-friendly term, "Plug-in Prius." The lower-case i helps to further distinguish the acronym from others, such as a shortening of Pippen Took or a notch on a gasoline indicator or whatnot. Lastly, PiP is a sporty, easily-pronounced, energetic word, it is "peppy" and sporty, and something you might actually want to drive, while the enunciation of FEV sounds like FEZ, a hat worn by Shriners, or FEH, some sort of sticky goop you're trying to scrape off of your tongue, e.g. "Here, eat these strained prunes." You would reply, "Feh! I hate strained prunes." Not to mention the Internet's favorite new word, "MEH," as in, "Meh, I could care less." For all of these reasons, I eschew the use of the acronym PHV or PHEV, and by Imperial Internet Decree #Omega 8-B9z, I hereby do ordain that PiP is the official and only lawful acronym of the True Enthusiast. Sorry to pull rank on you, but as self-annointed Minister of the Internet Linguistics and Czar of Acronyms (MILCA), I had to step in. By all means, continue to use PHV or PHEV to refer to the vehicle's bureaucratic, legal definition, but it's not my ride, bro'. Here in sunny California, we don't drive around in Fezzes or Fevs. Thanks!!!
I'll school you though. When a consumer wants to learn about more about the plug-in model, do you really think "PIP" is going to be a practical thing to search online for? "Prius PHV" or "Prius PHEV" search results will be dramatically more informative. Next month when Ford's C-Max rolls out, the unique "Energi" name will put the need to the challenge... since websites & articles insist on categorizing vehicles. Abbreviating an abbreviation is nothing new and doesn't alter the intent. Yes, there's a regular 12-volt hidden in back on the passenger side. It powers the accessories, computers, and relays.
Naming conventions are important to get established early… Xerox. Kleenex. Coke. are commercial examples. The problem with commercial naming conventions is that they don't always convey the same meaning to each person who uses the word. Taxonomies like the ones above may be helpful when naming conventions for these critters becomes more important. With fewer than 10,000 of these PHEVs roaming the earth right now, it's probably not crucial what they're called informally amongst ourselves. But it is also true that for the category to grow - which has the effect of reducing our carbon footprint, albeit marginally - consumers will need to know what to look for. That might suggest a catchier naming convention than PHEV.
I have thought PIP was shorthand for Plug-in Prius, the specific vehicle which is the subject of this forum. PIP is much easier to write than Plug-in Prius.
Google search of "plug-in Prius" delivers 12 million hits, including www.toyota.com/plugin A search for Prius PHEV returns only 1 million hits. A search for Prius PIP returns over 3 million. The Google has spoken.
Why did Toyota not use the logo they use in Japan? If you buy a Prius PHV or PiP in Japan, the rear of the car clearly says PriusPHV. In Japan is not the Prius Plug In, it is the Prius PHV. I am on my iPhone so I can upload a picture right now. If you google Prius PHV you will be able to see what I am talking about.
"plug in Prius" isn't an abbreviation or even an identifier. Also, I'm pointing out what WILL BE looked for, not what's out there now. Think about how quickly time pasts and how we'd like to retain the value of things shared online. Something as generic as that will get lost. Notice how a word even as unique as "Prius" already delivers 73 million hits. Lastly, keep in mind how capacity will come into play later to... Prius PHV-11
Works fine for specific audiences, as does PiP here. But that's the market in general. Remember, my website attracts newbies and entices them to check out PriusChat. It's worked great in the past and I would like to continue contributing like that. So, I'm looking for quite a different draw than someone who has already made the purchase decision. Enjoy your "plug in hybrid". I'm certainly having fun with mine.
A dinky little thing about the size of a motorcycle battery. Unlike in a conventional car, it isn't asked to crank the engine. To get started, you just need enough power to boot the hybrid system computer.
Yep, I'm familiar w/PIP on TVs. I've got them on mine. Yeah, I prefer PHEV to PHV. Side note: The now defunct Altima Hybrid (aka NAH) was referred to as a HEV by Nissan. It's also easier to say. It's one syllable (PiP), instead of four. The expansion's also fewer syllables (4 for Plug-in Prius) vs. the expansion being a mouthful (Prius Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle). PiP is the way to go... Even Erica of Prius Team has used it at least once (http://priuschat.com/forums/toyota-prius-plug-in/101084-prius-plug-in-updates-18.html#post1515538). Case settled and closed.
Actually, a search for Prius pup returns 9,720,000 hits. A search for Prius pip returns only about 3,270,000 hits. :rockon:
Google search for PiP doesn't turn up a car in the first 50 hits. However, the first hit is the Wikipedia page for "pip", which (as of two minutes ago) contains "Plug-in Prius, a Toyota [ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PHEV"]PHEV[/ame] (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle)". Admittedly it's the 78th of 78 definitions of "pip", so not quite an unambiguius term. But neither is PHEV since there are other such. My dealer sticker says "PRIUS Plug-in". As far as I'm concerned, I own a PiP, which is a Toyota PHEV.
