2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In: By The Numbers, Would It Work For You?

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by krelborne, Mar 24, 2011.

  1. krelborne

    krelborne New Member

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    Size is the ultimate factor, IMHO. If you're willing to downsize to a subcompact, you will most likely save money, in the long run, over a Prius. Would you save money getting a 20k automatic Focus? Probably not. People who like the Prius more than the Focus but balk at the higher price are probably taking a misguided short-sighted view.

    It will be interesting to see how the subcompact math works out if and when the C's pricing is announced.
     
  2. drash

    drash Senior Member

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    Not sure how the math works out for "most" people when they overwhelmingly buy cars with automatic transmission over those with manual transmission. Most (not all) automatics reduce not only mpg but responsiveness, drive ability, speed, and acceleration of almost any car while increasing the price. In some cases the price increase is rather significant, particularly the more advanced paddle 6+ speed transmissions.

    And I'm not even going to get into the whole deception crap of comparing a manual transmission car with a Prius.
     
  3. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    That's almost a year ago.
     
  4. coach81

    coach81 Active Member

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    It would really work well for me... about 4 - 5 miles to work everyday.. no more than 10 miles per drive..

    2013 might actually work out pretty well for me... time will tell...
     
  5. gwmort

    gwmort Active Member

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    You know speaking of numbers...

    I was thinking the other day. What do you suppose the effect on demand will be for the regular prius if the PHV really does only cost $3000 more and then qualifies for $2500 tax credit (and possibly state credits)?

    Are we looking at the end of the cordless prius in 2-3 years?
     
  6. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Not everybody wants to or can plug in their car. It can be a hassle or a blessing.

    Prius PHV with 50 MPG on regular gasoline is less of a penalty if you forget to plug it in. Volt has higher penalty since it runs on premium gas @ 37 MPG. Emission are higher too.
     
  7. ggood

    ggood Senior Member

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    FYI, the tax credit would be approximately $3,000.
     
  8. Sergiospl

    Sergiospl Senior Member

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    This is a good point since there is no more tax credit for the regular Prius. The prices maybe similar with $3000 tax credit taken into consideration. But, I suspect the PHV price premium will be higher. These Federal tax credits however are only good for a couple of so years and then phased out.
     
  9. ksstathead

    ksstathead Active Member

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    Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 30D as amended in December 2010, does not appear to terminate by passage of time. A manufacturer begins phaseout once it has sold 200,000 units under the provision after 2009. The phaseout is similar to the 60,000 unit trigger for HVs, except that older provision ended at 12/31/10.
     
  10. ItsNotAboutTheMoney

    ItsNotAboutTheMoney EditProfOptInfoCustomUser Title

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    Cold in winter and garage not currently usable.
    Commutes of 20.6/20.8 or 19.3/16.9 miles.

    I'd love to plug in though...

    But for those where the car fits...

    Plugging in would only be a hassle if:
    - You're liable to have people unplug or steal your cable OR
    - Your driveway is such that you might have to move cars around to get access to the charger OR
    - You have a dumb charger that starts as soon as you plug the car in.

    It should be easy to work out.
     
  11. Sergiospl

    Sergiospl Senior Member

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    I know this is not the thread for the European 2012 prius+ and the 2012 prius+ is not a Plug-In. The report states that: Toyota said that the car with its Lithium ion battery will be able to drive on electricity alone for up to 9 miles. Ok, maybe he was misinformed, without a plug?

    I have tried to at least find this information elsewhere with no success. If it were to be true, it would also mean that the Prius plug-In can be designed to recharge the EV batteries after depletion of the 13 miles.

    Q. Has anybody heard anything about this?

     
  12. coach81

    coach81 Active Member

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    Good points... all of these are issues that people will have to consider (who don't have a secure garage).

    Which includes me....

    But if running on only electricity will cost at least HALF AS MUCH as what I would pay for gas...I'm IN!!!
     
  13. Corwyn

    Corwyn Energy Curmudgeon

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    Only if you are in a place where cars are time-limited, rather than mileage-limited. If you can get 200,000 miles out of the car, it doesn't matter how heavy your use is.
     
  14. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    I have to add -- I truly hate oil companies. I believe they are a powerful force behind a great deal of profit-driven evil which causes political turmoil, human suffering, and extensive environmental destruction. I understand that not everyone feels this way, but as someone who does, I am happy to spend my money so as to reduce my gas usage and to encourage the businesses which lead others to reduce gas usage. That has a value to me that doesn't fit in a spreadsheet. As my previous car was BMW, I understand that most people don't purchase their cars based solely on cost-benefit, efficiency and economy alone.
     
  15. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Spot on.

    The only caveat to that basic truth is an extended opportunity cost.
     
  16. turborip

    turborip New Member

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    :)

    On calculating the true cost of the PHV, you need to add the federal road tax cost that surely will be collected at some point.
    I have heard talking points to require all car owners to install a computer that will calculate miles driven and will transmitt to a system which will collect the tax from everyone.
    Big Government will think of everything.
    Rip
     
  17. gwmort

    gwmort Active Member

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    Its about time they started measuring how much those dang Amish buggies are using the roads, forcing them to attach computers will just be precious.
     
  18. tmcgee

    tmcgee New Member

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    you guys are the best
     
  19. dhanson865

    dhanson865 Expert and Devil's advocate

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    http ://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prius_V = "The Toyota Prius v, also named Prius Alpha in Japan, and Prius + in Europe"

    couldn't make the URL active as a new poster.
     
  20. Sergiospl

    Sergiospl Senior Member

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    The main point of post #72/You Tube video about the European 2012 Prius + that got my attention was the reviewer said that Toyota states that the car with its Lithium ion battery will be able to drive on electricity alone for up to 9 miles, and it is not a plug-in.

    The reviewer may have been misinformed about the 9 mile EV on electricity alone for the European 2012 Prius + .