From the recent LA Times article on EV's: Toyota Prius Plug-inJoining the regular hybrid Prius — the mother of all green cars — this plug-in version is one of the more innovative EVs available today. Unlike other plug-ins, it runs on a 1.8-liter gas engine when the batteries are depleted. Call it EV light, if you will. It has a maximum electric-only range of around 15 miles at speeds up to 62 mph. And when it operates as a straight-up hybrid like the regular Prius, it gets 49 mpg around town. The big difference is that the plug-in can be fully juiced at home in three hours with a 120-volt outlet – especially efficient for short commutes and errands around town. Typical driving habits net an EPA average equivalent 87 mpg.The Prius Plug-in may well forge a special niche. Driving a true EV has never been so easy, accessible or practical.
But the EPA average MPGe of 87 is old data, isnt it? I thought 87 was the old number and after actual testing, it was 95.
One has to be a real lead-foot to get only 49mpg in HV mode; 58mpg is more like it for me. I assume that 49mpg is from some EPA test. Aren't the city and highway numbers for the Plug-in (and the Prius in general) inverted from the conventional case, with highway being lower due to wind resistance loss vs. regeneration/engine stop efficiencies in city driving?
Kind of misses the point, doesn't it? The Leaf, and I believe the Volt, will also charge 12 - 15 miles or so in three hours on 120v. It's like saying "The 10 gallon tank lets you fill up faster at the gas station."
