Prius PHV Plug-In Updates?

I am in Florida and currently extending my '07 camry lease by 5 months until mid-November. I have no idea what I am going to drive after that, maybe a rental until this car shows up.

Christmas Gift from Toyota this Year!
Just early delivery for those who ordered the plug-In by Mid-September. I am ready to receive a call by December 15 that my car will reach the dealer on December 20. I am dreaming of a Prius plug-in Christmas while others dream of a white Christmas.

 

Actually I was being optimistic. Toyota said spring of 2012 so I'm hoping it's not later than that going into fall and then winter of 2012 when they actually start pouring in. I bought my Prius in November 2004 so this would be a switch for me which is why I'm rooting for Spring. I highly doubt it will be earlier than that. This will then be a wacked model year like the CT200h.

 

Sprint of 2012 will be interesting - we should have both Prius PHV and Ford Energi coming out. If Ford executes & prices well, I think a lot of people will find Energi a better value.

 

But, you don't know that yet!

We don't know prices for the Prius PHV or the Ford Energi. We don't have information about the final specifications of the PHV and much less information of the Ford.

How does one calculate "value"?

 

Energi will be Prius v size plugin. It appears to have higher EV range but we should wait for the official figures. That would also mean it will cost more.

 

3 demo units have recently landed in Israel, mainly for getting approval by ministry of transportation, they will be tested on the roads as well.
Importer is saying the launch of the production model in Israel will be about a year from now.

 

for witch vehicle?

 

Hey, you know; Lithium is not cheap......and higher EV range means a lot of extra bucks.

 

Yes - but, for a larger pack, you get more federal tax credits. Don't be fooled by Volt pricing.

For every 1 KWh more battery, you get $417 in tax credits. Each KWh costs the manufacturer $500 to $750 in marginal cost.

So, you can see how a larger battery vehicle and a smaller one can be sold for almost the same price.

That is the reason a 24 kwh Leaf is cheaper than even a plug-less Prius now.

 

I'm 100% with you but, the right expression should be "So, you can see how a larger battery vehicle and a smaller one can cost to the end user the same price."

 

Energi is a CUV, though not as large as Prius v. Americans always think CUVs have more utility.

It will also have larger EV mode range - 30 to 40 miles compared to 10 to 15 miles on Prius.

 

The dimensions of the Ford Energi look good on paper for now until we see and have the final specs of the car. But, just like the Volt, having a 30 to 40 miles of Lithium battery capacity EV mode comes at reducing passenger space, substantial increased in cost and weight, plus dead weight after battery depletion.

30-40 miles EV does not cover every driver and is substantially less in very cold weather.
At the end of the day, it is the efficiency of the Hybrid System that really makes the difference.

After looking at GM/Volt experience, I doubt FORD would produce a Volt-like plug-in hybrid with similar specs. It is also unrealistic to expect a car with 16 kwh battery or more and 2 propulsion systems to be priced competitively with another with 5.2 kwh. Lithium is still expensive.

 

No - for us a larger ev range that covers the commute is more important than better gas mileage.

 

I don't think Energi will have 30-40 miles EV range. My guess is 20 miles.

BTW, Prius PHV is missing in your table.

 

Here is my reasoning ....

C-Max Energi: What is the EV range of Energi ?

Have they released PPHV dimensions ?

 

Big assumptions from vague statements about Energi. I don't think we can derive EV range from it.

Prius PHV prototype has 13 or 14 EV miles. Dimensions should be the same as the cordless prius except the cargo.

 

Basis of your 20 miles range guess is ... ?

Yes - so, basically the same as Pruis in the table except for trunk.

 

Can anybody tell me why the PHV isn't appreciably faster? I understand the Gen 3 normal prius has an 80 HP capable motor but battery only good for about 36 hp. If the PHV's battery is so much more capable, shouldn't it be tuned to allow more horsepower? If the PHV also had 180 horsepower it would make the Prius quite quick.

 

I think they will still go conservative because you are not going to get 13mi in EV if you juice the motor for 80hp.

Maybe they will uprate to 50hp.

I don't see how it won't have better 0-60 times though...with any additional HP, especially electric, you should have considerable pick up off the line.

 

Maybe the limiting element is the inverter or the voltage boost converter and not the battery.