I found the missing 4" (vertical) in the trunk. It is below the battery.

One of my favorite features of my 2004 was all the little (and big) places to store things. The G3 got worse, the G4 got worse yet. But I made due by spending about $200 on new stuff.

 

I used similar arguments against the G3 (no real improvement, in my opinion, over my 2004) and the 2016 G4 (great driving but loss of storage), and didn't buy either one. But the Ev-only and quiet of the Prime combined with the great driving qualities of it being a G4 convinced me to work through its other issues. And it's totally worth it.

 

and you only waited 13 years. that put's me at 2025. should be a decent prime version by then.

 

My question is, will pure Ev's be a viable solution for me by then. Range would have to increase and charging infrastructure would have to grow exponentially. Oh, and cost would have to come down a lot. But maybe.

 

And I will be dead and buried, but will have still enjoyed a (although not perfect) great car!!

.

I must state too that timing is EVERYTHING! I had planned to replace my 2012 PIP with a plug-in hybrid that could get substantially greater EV range, while offering the same outstanding reliability. In hindsight, I maintain my opinion that this 2012 was a great "appliance" like my refrigerator, washer, and dryer, but really not much fun to drive. The Prime completely dominates the 2012's 8-9 mile EV range, with my average of 34 EV miles; my driving style is basically the same while my rewards are much greater. The "stealthy" Prime is fun when you want to play, and miserly when you choose to save. It gives me CHOICE, reliability, safety, and entertainment. Yeah, we can all think of things we'd like improved or added, but considering the size of the Toyota Corporation, it is truly impressive to see what they have produced for us; not many companies are as sensitive or responsible to consumers. I'll enjoy my new Prime Toy, have fun with it, while waiting for the next chapter. Hopefully, Toyota, or another manufacturer will put out my high performance 2 seat, hatchback, plug-in hybrid coupe, before I croak!! (I know, you've never heard of a Crippled Snail croaking, but don't forget, we French are also called "frogs"!)

 

yes, an ev is on my horizon as well. i don't need large ev miles or charging infrastructure though, as we have a second car for long distance, and most of my driving is local. wait and see.

 

and i am as well! that's what makes the decision to downgrade to a prime so difficult.

 

Details about the Prime battery: Prius LiON battery: Not the Prime but close enough | PriusChat

At the end of the video, we learn 5, battery assemblies are used in the Prime.

Bob Wilson

 

five different batteries in prime?

 

All the same cells (25Ah), 5 stacks of 19 cells each.

 

I'm thinking that the 5 stacks could be relocated into the spare tire space and perhaps the sides of the trunk space.

 

IMHO, it might be possible to put the under seat battery pack in the Prime and relocate the charger electronics into the empty space of the wheel well. Of course this would increase the weight, substantially, 7/5 ~= 140% and pose a cooling problem as the charger would be below and in the middle of the 5, battery stacks. Right now, the middle battery stack would already be at a heat risk from the four on each side.

Here is a screen shot of the 2016 Level Two ECO traction battery:


Screen shot from the Weber State YouTube:

Bob Wilson

 

lots of reasons why something can't be done.

 

My EV friends told me it would happen. I bought a hybrid and swore I'd never go back to a normal ICE. Now I've bought a plug-in and I'd never go back to a plugless. And, yes, I feel the creep - yearning for that larger capacity battery. I fell like what I have is a hybrid that can be supplemented with a little charging, and what I want is an EV that can be supplemented with a little gas ('just in case').

 

As opposed to the earlier, smaller battery version.

 

I think we already knew that, since this is an image Toyota released.

 

@bwilson4web can share his experiences with the BMW i3-Rex which is an EV with a small engine "range extender" to recharge the battery.

 

This? bmw i3 rex | On Electric Cars

Drag coefficient Cd = 0.30, nearly the same weight as the Prime, starting at $45,200...

 

Yeah.
Bob has a 2014 he bought used, IIRC. That was their first model year.
Due to stupid CARB classification limits on EVs with engines, the extender's range is software limited in the US. Bob has some ideas of extending that though.

 

Software limited? I thought it was limited by the 1.9 gallon gas tank.