I apologize if this has been asked and answered already. When "plug-in" feature is referenced, what exactly does that mean? No gas/completely electric? So my subsequent questions are how long is the new Prius supposed to run w/o needing a charge? And where will you charge it up if you're, say, at the grocery store and your Prius is nearly out of juice? Also, same question if you live in apartments or condos where your designated parking spot doesn't have an electrical outlet? I ask because I have friends who had a Zap (fully electric) which was great in theory but a giant pain in reality due to lack of places to plug it in, other than their home. Just going across town (Portland, OR) might involve a mad scramble to find an accessible outlet and the use of a very long extension cord (and possibly being accused of 'stealing electricity') to get enough juice to drive the car back home. I would hope/assume the new Prius would have a much longer range (more than approx 30 miles that a Zap has). But seeing the concept in action makes me question whether it can really catch on any time soon. It would take a massive movement of electric car owners to demand plug-in stations all over their cities. I suppose if gas prices got high enough, and enough people bought plug-in fully electric cars, it could happen, but it's a ways off in the future. American society is still in the gas vehicle mindset (not to mention the political pressure to keep it that way.)
The plug-in as it relates to the future prius means there will be additional battery capacity to drive much further without using the engine. The Prius will still be a hybrid however so you won't need to worry about juice. In this case the Prius is exactly the same as it is now... just with a "bigger" battery. The plug-in will allow you to top off the battery over night so you can have a fresh start in the morning. This topping off will probably allow most people to drive to work on battery power alone and for most on the way home they'll more than likely be on battery/engine just like they are on the current Prius. I'm not sure we know if the new Prius will have 1 larger battery or 1 large battery and 1 batter with the capacity that we have now. I know the conversions have the additional battery and once that battery is depleted the Prius acts like normal on the smaller battery. I'm sure someone else will verbalize this better than I.... I'm confusing myself now.
Businesses get a tax deduction for parking spaces. When the time comes, to keep that deduction they should be required to install recharge outlets at the spaces.
Yes, this is how I understand it, but let me clarify for the OP. You can put gas in it, too. You may not need gas if you take only short trips and charge between them. You should not need to worry about needing to charge and not being able to find an outlet if there is a gas station anywhere nearby. As to whether they will catch on, they won't be for everyone. At least not right away. Plenty of people live in apartments or park on the street, but lots of people (like me) will be able to charge at home in their garages and drive to work and back or to the store and back without having to burn gas. I agree it may take time to change things, but change can and does happen. It may not take as long as you think.
You are all right, but remember that if you stomp down on the "gas pedal" , called lead foot, the battery will soon deplete and your back charging with the ICE. My question is will the 2007 and other models have an upgrade for the EV mode and charger? Norm
I am still unclear as to how the current plug-in Prius actually works. I understand the principle of using the extra battery to facilitate mileage improvement, but I only live 5 miles from work. Does the aftermarket plug-in Prius still have to warm up the ICE, which would include most of my "commute", or can it be in "EV only" for a drive that does not exceed 42 mph for 5 miles? I would like to drive to work in EV only. Will that be possible in my "07" Prius, or does one have to wait to buy a Chevy Volt or other non-parallel hybrid? By the way, this is my first post and I have been searching this subject here and on other websites without sufficient success for a few months.
as I understand it.... it will increase the EV only range to about 10-13 miles.. so, in theory, you could drive to work and back (as long as you don't accelerate too fast or go over a certain speed - don't know what that is) I've tried to find more detailed info about it as well. I have installed the EV only mod on mine.. so as long as I have enough battery charge, I can go into EV mode anytime. I would think.. though I don't know.. that the plug in addition would have some sort of EV mode that comes along with it so as not to turn on the ICE to warm up unless you've depleted your EV range charge already. I wish they'd put more info on their website!!
I would think the "gearing" would be adjusted to allow for EV mode (no ICE) travel at greater than 41 mph.
No reliable information about when or even if plug-in will be available. As such, there certainly isn't any reliable information as to Toyota providing a retro-fit option for any Prius built since 2004. Of course if you really want a plug-in conversion, they are already available from a few companies. If you are looking for opinion, personally I'd say that it is highly unlikely that Toyota will provide a plug in conversion retro-fit option for any of the currently available models.
Boy, been looking since 2005 for some of this information, and as I see this, in 2008 still confusion here, MY
Well, let me try it again, still there is no information on this PLUG in feature...I have a 2005, and foresaw this "FUEL CRISIS". Everyone laughed when I got this car, they are not laughing now.. Now the PLUG IN.. Calcomp and a bunch of other enterpreneurs have been struggling with all this, with NO MAJOR SUPPORT from car makers, and that DOES include TOYOTA!! For the remote parkers (apts..) it is not to useful, one can assume a charger, and some form of extended battery or size or additional bank would be needed. An EV type system and perhaps a better low cruise speed for EV would be nice. All of this could be done as an OPTION, just like the other "fancy" stuff, but this would be USEFUL, and even save GAS !!! The cost now from 3rd party is prohibitive ( $8000-15000 ) with poor PAYBACK. For those of you who have the cars as status symbols, there are LOYAL Prius owners who have them for a more PRACTICAL reason. My 2005 has saved enough gas money to have paid for the added expenses already (if you compare it to a Toyota Corrolla), which is really all a Prius is. Do the math, as for this plug in conversion all I can say MY GOD, STILL JUST A DREAM HERE TOO!!!
I just spoke with a salesman at my local Toyota dealership yesterday and he said the plug-in Prius won't come until 2012. The 2010 will not have the plug-in feature but will have a bigger engine, a new body, and a totally new hybrid synergy drive system. So the 2009 will be the last year of the second gen Prius.
If only I had confidence in the knowledge of car salespeople.... the kind of folks who insist that my full-battery Rav4EV is, in fact, a hybrid. Plug-in: No matter what vehicle has a plug, it means that plugging into the grid will off-set some or all of the gasoline usage. Some plug-in vehicles like my Rav4EV use NO gas. There is no gas tank. No engine. And some plug-in vehicles like the Chevy Volt will offer the full driving experience on (plugged-in) battery power for up to 40 miles, and then unlimited range after that on gasoline power. What Toyota will do with the Prius - and when they do it - is still up in the air. At least as far as the consumers are supposed to know! For many years ALL major car makers have claimed that plug-in vehicles do not make sense. By 2010, everybody has plans to significantly change the tune that they've been whistling. The game is changing.
there is no way anyone at local deal will know much about models that are that far away... at least not specific details about those models.
It's all but impossible to prove a negitive. So let's try it this way. I believe the 2009 was supposed to be announced in April 2009. Here it is the end of August and still no official announcement. Rumors were it was supposed to be the GenIII, lithium batteries, plug-in and all. Now we know it won't be. At best it will be the 2008 with some engineering changes for some known problems, maybe some cosmetic changes, though I doubt it. 2010 due April 2009, that make a 6 month year for the 2009. Hummm! Think that was planned? 2010 rumored to be GENIII, with LiPo's and plug-in. Now GenIII yes, but maybe not LiPo's or plug-in. Point being, I don't know how a dealer or salesman can know; when the Toyota Corporation, itself, isn't even sure, due to manufacturing and developement problems. Just my opine! Facts stated may or may not be accurate, but then again, it's the whole point isn't it. :gossip:
You can reference my other recent posts, but my trusty Toyota salesperson (straight shooter, by the way) would only speculate on dates, but stated that the plug-in version would be available on the 2010 chassis (open for interpretation on whether he meant that model year or just the chassis and some future model year). When he took my $500 to get my name on the 2010 list, he wanted to know if I was interested in the standard hybrid or the plug-in version. He stated that battery developments would delay the plug-in version for quite a while. So - additional speculation but he did confirm that there would be a plug-in version (he brought it up) but don't expect it real soon. Personally, if I can take delivery of my 2010 in the summer of 2009, I'll be happy.
CNBC reported this morning that Toyota announced the plug in hybrid is moved up to end of 2009. Not clear if its a Prius. Also, an all electric vehicle by early next decade (2010 or so).
