4th generation coming 2015!

Did I see "TV" at the end? lol Uhm...

TV while driving!

 

I think that's just an owner that's really anal about bras.

 

Yeah, gotta protect your paint.

 

Is TV the same as just the LCD screen, or is it broadcasting television? In which that's a bad idea to drive and watch Game of Thrones :O

 

Another article, mostly about Ford and Samsung: Ford and Samsung Partner On Lightweight New Batteries

This is interesting that cars will get lightweight li-ion batteries and improve mpg in exchange while providing more interior space. The part I sort of "lol'ed" at is they mention the 2015 Prius, last of the hybrids to offer NiMh batteries AND it says it's DEBUTING this year.

I should have a checklist on when sites suspect the 2015 Prius will be the Model Year 2015 vs 2016. But the article is already citing it's debuting this year, so now again we look to the LA show in a half a year?

Maybe we will see a flurry of details and images in the next coming months if this is the case...Hopefully! But then again, they'll remain guarded to not thwart any current sales.

 

Don't hold your breath...unless you have a BIG death wish.

 

Intel Goes Wireless With Resonant Power | EE Times

Summary: the company Toyota bought (Witricity) has reached an agreement with Intel to provide 90% efficiency wireless charging tech.

Witricity says (or confirms?) the next gen prius will be provided with this tech.

Now, if it's 90% efficient vs a plug that might be 99% I really don't think I would like that at all, especially if it's a standard in a Prius (added weight and what not). Imagine $1000 in energy costs, and you'd save over $90 using a Plug. Prius is about efficiency - I don't think wireless charging would make everyone excited especially with the idea you might have to place a heavy durable object on the ground or dig into concrete....

Now if WiTricity touts as efficient as a direct wire, we'd be talking a different story here

 

Toyota's Simile: Simplicity vs. Stupidity

 

While I feel the same, plenty of other folks will feel different. A manufacturer can reach a larger market audience by addressing multiple customer types.

E.g., my spouse is much less OCD about energy efficiency than me, more concerned about convenience. I line-dry much of my laundry when weather is favorable, but hers must be machine dried. I want one of heat pump clothes driers when they become available in the North American market, cutting that function's energy cost in half, but she probably won't accept the doubled drying time. I would be far more willing to physically plug in a power cord, she'd greatly prefer the park-and-forget convenience of wireless charging.

 

I wonder if Witricity is using AC or DC. Would be pretty dumb that if they use DC (convert the current for their product)- then it would result on 12-22% total power loss!

 

Inferno, I know nothing about electricity (at one time I did understand volts, watts and amps), but I suspect we will just need to trust that engineers that can design and manufacture the genius of the Prius hybrid system, will not be fooled by energy conversions.

Personally, I hope that wireless charging can be perfected. It needs to efficient, easy to use, cost effective and "transparent" (I hate that word). I am not willing to pay much extra IF .... what I understand about PIP is true. It just is not worth the added effort and cost in my circumstance.

 

Its funny the Prius detractors are saying the competition (Honda and Ford) have caught up to Toyota in hybrids MPG? Really?

Ford lowers MPG ratings on six vehicles - Autoblog

Add the Honda Accord Hybrid's beat down by CR and guess what, the 3rd Gen Prius HSD is still far ahead of the competition. What makes it more significant is that Toyota is doing it using NiMH batteries, not the significantly more powerful Li-Ion batteries. How about this as food for thought, a 3rd Gen Prius with a Li-Ion battery(Not the PHV)? Imagine the possibilities? 4th Gen Prius HSD with a Li-Ion battery and it is a slam dunk! Tesla would be the only competitor.

 

The *last* person I would ask about an upcoming refresh to a product is a salesperson. The are either ignorant, or lie.

 

I have no idea what "a lot" of people means considering there are some 100 million taxpayers in the country ...

However, taxable income of $73k after deductions for a married couple has a federal tax of about $10,000.
Note, this couple are not even in the 25% marginal tax bracket.

Perhaps a useful rule of thumb would be to say that a working couple that has $6k in disposable income a month left after paying for whatever was associated with a tax deduction or credit, have a $10k federal tax burden.

 

Same in my house, until the dryer one day went and lost its cord.

Now she is used to using the line.

 

In a 2011 IRS report, I'm seeing 145 million tax returns, with just under 92 million having any tax liability.

31 million had adjusted gross income of $75k or over. Another 17.6 million returns in the $50-75k income bracket averaged $5280 tax on $61.7k AGI.

 

Our dryer motor failed a couple years ago. We promptly obtained a new dryer. (Earlier thermostat failures were cheap easy DIY jobs, but this wasn't.)

In this climate, even I won't consent to line drying year round. The line is 'temporary', a cable between hooks on the house and fence that can be put up in about thirty seconds. It works great in summer, but is poorly situated for sparse winter sunlight. So this past winter, I added another pair of hooks in the best light, and gained numerous weeks of outdoor drying. And while pretending to be retired, I can better shift my laundry time to better fit the more scarce winter drying weather.