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Buying Prime without a dedicated nightly charging option until next year?

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by wtbprime, Jan 16, 2017.

  1. wtbprime

    wtbprime New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2017
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    Location:
    los angeles
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Hi All, i've been researching and eagerly anticipating the new Prime for some time. We're interested in purchasing, but won't have access to an overnight charging option (in an apt complex) until next year when we hope to move in a SFR.

    Do you think it's worth it to simply drive the Prime as a hybrid and charging when we can? Any potential issues with the ev battery due to non-use? (Some friends have opted not to charge their plug ins since gas was cheaper than the EV)

    Our thought was that if we were going to buy a new car, to buy something more innovative that would last us longer and with newer technology. With the credits/rebates bringing the net price down to a standard 2016/17 prius, we thought why not purchase the prime instead?

    Thoughts would be greatly appreciated for this long time lurker.
     
    #1 wtbprime, Jan 16, 2017
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    welcome! no prob. the car never needs to be plugged in. grab one when you can, and plug in when you can. take a test drive, i think you'll like it.
     
    #2 bisco, Jan 16, 2017
  3. Db17

    Db17 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2017
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    Location:
    Visalia, CA
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    It just depends. But that's pretty much how it works for me. I'm gas during the week and electric on weekends.

    But... there are some big incentives and tax credits. And the HOV lane stickers save me 30 minutes on my evening drive home.
     
    #3 Db17, Jan 16, 2017
  4. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Location:
    So. Texas
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    You use the battery every time you use the car. No problems.
     
    #4 fotomoto, Jan 16, 2017
  5. wtbprime

    wtbprime New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2017
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    Location:
    los angeles
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Thanks so much for the info everyone! My 2005 prius is still going strong and would be great to add the Prime soon. Will keep everyone updated!
     
    #5 wtbprime, Jan 16, 2017
  6. Pizza Driver

    Pizza Driver Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2016
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    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Currently I am unable to charge over night. I will likely move at some point so that I can, but for now I mostly just use HV mode. Still, I do have the option of charging on occasion. I try to bank whatever charge I have to use for short hops to the grocery store and the like.
     
    #6 Pizza Driver, Jan 16, 2017
  7. taka05black

    taka05black Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2005
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    Location:
    Pasadena, CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    I too had a 2005 prius until this weekend. I would say it is worth getting the prime ASAP since your HV battery could die any time now.
    Mine performed as well like new, but I always had to worry about HV battery which had been a stress since Toyota delayed prime for one year (12V battery just died a couple of months ago).

    I don't have an over-night charging equipment either. I was planning to use the prime as an EV on the way from home in Pasadena to work in downtown since it is downhill, and switch to HV on the way back (uphill) for daily commute.

    Since my workplace has chargepoint stations, I used it with $100 chargepoint came with the car. For round trip between work in downtown and home in Pasadena, it was fully EV and still 10 miles left! And acceleration with EV only mode is even better than my old Prius.

    Now, I changed my plan to try to charge everyday at work or in any free stations for daily commute, then use it as a HV for weekend drive.
    I feel like I got two cars at once, EV and HV!

    And now, I have to find a reason to run the engine with HV mode for maintenance!!
     
    #7 taka05black, Jan 16, 2017
    fotomoto likes this.
  8. MNdriver

    MNdriver Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2016
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    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    I'm in a condo with a shared garage. I don't know if I'll be able to come up with a charging option there - we have a pretty conservative board.

    If not, I'll have to be happy with charging once each week at a local grocery store and using the ICE for the rest. If I can manage that, given my commute to work, I'd be using the ICE for 5/7s of the week.
     
    #8 MNdriver, Jan 17, 2017
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