So, I got a 2012 Prius. Thats really all I know. I dont really know if its a first, second, etc gen or not? Im not sure if its a Prius II or III or what? How do I tell? Whats the major difference? Would there be any advantage of adding more KWH-battery packs to this car? The EV mode seems to be pretty much useless where I drive. Despite that, I love the car, and love the mileage I'm getting out of it.
A 2012 is a Gen 3.5, you can ask your insurance agent whatever model/trim level you have. They can tell from your VIN number. SCH-I535
No there is no practical way to add extra battery modules to a Gen III Prius. The 2012 Prius had trim levels Two, Three, Four and Five.
That's standard. Remember you have a Hybrid gas engine vehicle where EVERY Amp of electricity was generated by burning gas. Even the electricity stored from regeneration was the result of the gas burned in getting you up to speed. Your best mpg will come from limiting the use EV mode.
Really? Limmit the use of EV mode? Whats the point of people putting mega add-on High Voltage batteries in there prius's then? I guess they plug into an outlet so that some/alot of that power comes from the plug, instead of the gas. But still...even so, even if you have 20KW additial battery power stored up, ready to go....wont the car's software still drop you into gas burning mode at 21mph? Or if you try to excellerate faster then I could get out and push?
They must also put in there own special hardware/software to allow more time on that big battery I would guess?
