May have reached 200k

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. Consider priorities.

That use of electricity may be unnecessary waste... exactly what Toyota is striving to avoid.

Remember, the battery can be warmed simply by using it, rather than run warming equipment.

 

This is harsher language than what Toyota uses with their other plug ins.

Have you turned off the your Prime's battery warming system to conserve energy?

 

What's wrong with clarity? Notice how much FUD comes about from ambiguity.

There's a huge difference in energy between 10°C for ordinary EV operation and 50°C needed for DC fast-charging.

 

Yeah, there's no ambiguity with stating your car's charging is crippled if it's freezing outside. And as for the 'doubt' in FUD? No doubt - many who seek to go electric will buy elsewhere if battery chemistry won't allow charging in freezing weather ... at least in states that suffer these weather conditions. Fair weather EV? One may suppose that kind of dynamic will work ok in most of California - where most USA sales will occur. Whole countries like Denmark, Iceland, Norway? Not so much.
.

 

For those doing research, you will discover that -4°F (-20°F) is the threshold for LFP chemistry. You will then notice that slower charging speed we have been told about matches the rate limit of 1C for LFP. Taking a look at the supplier, you will see that CATL is a provider of LFP cells for several other automakers. More and more, it looks like the AWD model of bZ4X in the US will be the first model of Toyota to implement LFP.

 

The PiP didn't need a battery warmer for ordinary EV operation. Why does the Prius Prime? If the PP does need it, why would a BEV not need to use fast DC charging in cold weather?

Except it isn't looking like that.

The bZ4X XLE FWD has a curb weight of 4266 pounds. AWD brings that up to 4332. LFP has benefits, but energy density and specific energy is not among them. CATL's LFP have an energy density of 160Wh/kg, and typical nickel based Li-ion is around 260Wh/kg. For the AWD pack to be made of LFP cells, the weight would increase by over 300 pounds. Using CATL's cell to pack technology, the weight difference might get down 250, 200 pounds.

Perhaps Toyota and Panasonic did a poor job of packing the FWD packing, which does not seem likely. The FWD battery doesn't have the warnings about cold and charging, so its battery likely isn't LFP.

Removing pack casing structure would seem to be the only way to keep the weight difference low. A LFP pack might even need the extra space from removing internal bits. It would be about 4 gallons of steel though.

But if that is the case, why be secretive about the battery chemistry used? Why let uncertainty from negative footnotes spread? Being open about limitations is negated when the reasons aren't shared. LFP is cars is not new. There are drawbacks, but those come with benefits. Toyota not being open about the AWD pack being LFP, if it is, while letting the drawbacks without the benefits come out, will lead to FUD over Li-ion batteries.

 

Quick answer:
The Gen3 used the heavier, and less cold temperature sensitive NiMH batteries.
The Gen4 uses the lighter LiON batteries. That helps to get much more EV range, and to allow the car to stay in EV mode up to ?~70mph?.

The Gen4 Prius AWD also uses the older and heavier NiMH batteries. That car will likely be used in colder climates. The cheaper NiMH batteries also help to keep the overall cost lower.

 

In US correct. In Europe Prius HEV and AWe both still use NiMH. Only the PHEV uses LiON.

 

The PiP, Prius Plug In, that preceded the Prius Prime, used Li-ion.

I am unaware of any recent plug in that used NiMH. The patents preventing that expired years ago now. It looks like BASF didn't unlock the potential they saw in NiMH, or Li-ion simply came down in price to the point it wasn't worth it.

 

There is still no update on the IRS website. The deadline for Toyota to file a notice with IRS was April 30. At this point, it is very likely that the full federal tax credit for Toyota and Lexus plug-in vehicles have now been extended to September 30, 2022.

IRC 30D new qualified plug-in electric-drive motor-vehicle credit | Internal Revenue Service

 

I just got a notice about a correction to SS holdings for the 2020 tax year. I wouldn't bet on an overworked IRS keeping a website immediately up to date.