What if you never plug-in? (& Aux Jack?)

When I was thinking about buying a PiP (own PiP now) I wouldn't think I have a chance to plug in. Now there are so many free charging station around CA (shopping malls/work) I always plug-in. Free miles

 

It's amazing how many charging opportunities one can find when searching for them. These opportunities will only increase in time.
That, plus the amazing engine mileage and (to a lesser extent) - charge mode, may appeal to more and more apartment dwellers.
Prime has a chance to become mainstream car?
Oops, it's the gen1 forum

 

I bought a used PIP a couple weeks ago. I was in the market for a used 3rd gen Prius, but I chanced upon a 2013 PIP and the price was right.

Up until a few days ago, I didn't get around to plugging it in. It worked just fine as a hybrid. The battery never dropped below 70%. A few days ago, I decided to charge it; the cord was still in the plastic, so I'm guessing the previous owner never plugged it in.

The next morning, it started in EV mode, which I'd not experienced yet, and it stayed that way as I toodled down to my neighbor's place to feed their animals, and then all the way back to my house.

On a longer trip, it seems to be relying much more on the battery than it did before, which I'm thinking must translate to even better gas mileage.

So to answer the question that started this thread, yep, my car did just fine having never been plugged in.

 

It always starts in the EV mode when you turn the car on if there is enough battery charge, and in the case where the ICE was recently run the temperature is high enough (130F). So here is something to think about. You are on a trip where you are mostly in the HV mode and have stopped for a short rest, turning the car off. If you have "saved" some battery for use at an appropriate part of the journey (say some slow city streets) you need remember to put the car into HV before continuing your journey or you will use up all the battery where it less efficient such as 60 mph on the highway.

 

I happen to know someone with a Pip, but never plugs in. What are the long term pros and cons of this?

 

When he sells it the buyer will be getting the equivalent of a new high voltage battery. Because he is only using the lower 5% of the battery capacity it's life expectancy is about 20 times what it would be if used as intended. He is "wasting" most of the benefits of the PI but he still gets some especially if he has to drive through any hills.

 

It won't be just the "lower" 5% depending on now it is used in the hills. A long hill/mountain could easily fully charge the battery so some time would be spent in the higher ranges of the battery depending on how much and when the full EV mode is used. That being said, the higher life expectancy is certainly likely.

 

If one doesn't select EV mode and stay under 62MPH on the downhills the ICE will do most of the braking and the charge gain is minimal. From what I've found about cycle life of similar Battery chemistry staying in HV mode and not charging results in close to 10x battery life. Further the PIP's cycling from 85%SOC (state of charge)to 23% (EV mode) should result in about a 15% capacity loss over 3000 cycles (about 6 1/2 years years of 2 cycles per day 5 days a week.

 

I guess its a matter of priorities -- do you wan't the lowest gas use and pollutant generation or do you want longer battery life at some cost to those other desirable factors.

 

Im in the same boat. I found a great deal on a 2013 PIP and its about $1000 less than comparable reg prius. I currently dont have a place to plug in but might soon. I just worry about buying a semi failed approach.

 

not sure what you mean.