Comparison between 2022 Prius Prime/2022 Chevy Bolt...

wow, that didn't last long.

 

The EV is gone, but the FCEV and PHEV are in production for at least another month.

Honda had made the PHEV special order outside some CARB states here. If you can still get it up north, you'll likely have to order one without a test drive.

As I understand it, the Clarity was designed before Honda got access to GM's FCEV patents. They and GM are working on a shared model. Don't know if its just FCEV, or will have other drive train options.

 

Honda is designing two upcoming EVs that will use GM batteries. But Honda has already stated they plan to transition to their own technology for future models beyond those two.

 

The BOLTs OEM EVSE is 90-240vac rated 12.5 amps

has always been disappointing that GM hard codes 110vac to never exceed 12 amps while the Leaf can drive 3.3kw off 110vac

 

That's actually the right way to go. Your average house has 15 amp 110V outlets with (maybe) some 20 amp circuits. The 30 amp 120v circuits are few and far between. If you set the car to draw 30 amps and a 15 amp circuit is used, you'll blow the fuses/breakers if you are lucky. If you are not lucky, you might start a fire inside the wall where outlet is mounted.

On the other hand, if GM were to set up the ESVE with a 30 amp plug (won't fit in a 15 amp socket) you can design it to handshake with the car so that the onboard charger ramps up the current.

 

No it isn’t , at least not per spec.
your EVSE is designed for a specific amperage and has a matching plug for said amperage

If I plug into a 30 amp 110 at an RV park, I should be able to use it if I have a 30 amp rated EVSE.

Ditto 20 amp, literally every external 110vac outlet in this area is 20 amp, if I have an EVSE rated for it with the correct plug I should be able to charge at the 16.x amp rating not 12

 

The dual EVSE I mentioned isn't available yet, but should be coming with the 2022 models in the near future.

I'm guessing the adapter for the different plugs are 'smart', and tell the EVSE what amperage they can handle. Which would explain why the Tesla ones are pricey.

 

Do not buy a BEV then. It's a hassle not to be able to charge it at home. The Prius Prime will be fine if you don't plug it in. Did you think about the regular Prius with eAWD? Would that model be cheaper in Canada?

 

Depends on the province. It’s not cheaper in Quebec because of our generous rebates. Could be cheaper in Ontario.

 

Just read an article that ALL Bolts are being recalled due to battery fire issues.

 

GM has stopped producing Bolts, for how long?

maybe forever, really stupid to fold active material without a gap to the separator

 

i liked their pr statement:

'as the leading manufacturer committed to an ev future, customer safety is our number one priority'

meanwhile, if a tesla burns, it's front page, tv news leading story.

 

memories fade:

U.S. probes EV batteries after Chevy Volt fire | Reuters

Chevy Volt's Electric Car Battery Catches Fire After Crash Test

Chevy Volt a charged issue - POLITICO

Safety Probe Just the Latest Problem for GM's Volt - WSJ

 

Oh, well, here goes one of the BEVs on my short list. Then again, no one is making a lot of cars now. I may have to wait a few more years before switching to a full BEV.

 

+1. I think that is the correct decision for now. The next 10 years should be the biggest decade in automotive history.

 

Toyota's ramp up of RAV4 Prime has been slow & steady. That was many, many years in the making to achieve success on that scale right out the door. That's because detail involving all aspects of the EV driving, including battery draw & charge, were addressed prior to that. They get labeled as "laggard" for doing it right though, taking the time without a spotlight to refine the technology first. Sadly, building upon experience in small steps is not regarded as a wise approach.

GM's rollout of Bolt was a rush to beat Model 3. It was a gamble, diverting resources away from their invest with plug-in hybrid technology. Choosing to abandon, rather than diversify, has consequences. Think about what this does to reputation. There is nothing plug-in to purchase anymore. Where's the commitment to change? Regardless of whatever fix becomes available, damage from customer confidence has already happened. It is called disenfranchisement. We already saw that playout with Volt owners. The same is now happening with Bolt owners.

In simplistic terms, what will a showroom shopper purchase? We hear stories of loyal Toyota owners stumbling across an available Prime and purchasing it simply based on the basics they uncovered during their in-person shopping experience. That is truly amazing considering how little salespeople tend to understand about plug-in technology. This is why Toyota is taking the time to get every aspect of the ownership experience thoroughly worked out prior to "bZ" rollout. Mistakes can be costly... as we are seeing with GM.

My hope is to get a bZ4X right away. That still means a wait until next summer, at least. In the meantime, I will continue to closely study the market and confirm how well Toyota has done to make the technology work for it. Balance of technology with need & want is incredibly challenging. I respect Toyota's resistance to enthusiast exhort. They remain focused on goals to satisfy dealer & consumer, not to appease the initial market. Patience can be rewarding. Good luck with your wait.

 

impressive by any measure:
us-toyota-prius-plug-in

 

Since they sold out the PriusPrime, there are more Rav4Prime in stock in most of Toyota dealers around where I live. One dealer had 4 in stock. I have not contacted any of them, but it does not look like any of them are dealer marked up. If the $7500 tax credit becomes refundable in the US, I may be trading in my 2021PP to 2021 Rav4Prime next year.