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Why can't you just charge the NiMH batteries?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by ZTrekus, Jul 13, 2009.

  1. ZTrekus

    ZTrekus New Member

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    Everytime they talk about a plug-in prius, they always talk about Lithiom Ion Batteries which the 2010 doesn't have.

    But what is wrong with simply charging up the NiMH that is in there? - At least one coule have a full tank (so to speak) of battery power before leaving home. Isn't that simple enough and worth it?
     
    #1 ZTrekus, Jul 13, 2009
  2. Midpack

    Midpack Member

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    You could, but the existing battery is way too small for dedicated EV service. Projections I've seen suggest you'd have a range of 1 mile to 10 miles. That's one of the reasons the PHEV Pruis is estimated at $48K - way more battery!
     
    #2 Midpack, Jul 13, 2009
  3. Mike Dimmick

    Mike Dimmick Active Member

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    Yes, it's simple. No, it's not worth it. EV range is only about a mile. Prius is designed as a charge-sustaining hybrid and usually has six bars of charge when you park it. That doesn't leave a lot of space to put more energy in. Likewise it doesn't really want to deplete the battery that far - it will only drop to two bars in EV mode.

    It's the capacity of the battery that's the issue, not the chemistry. NiMH is perfectly capable, albeit it might be a little heavier, but it should be cheaper. The problem is that Chevron hold (through subsidiaries) patents on large NiMH batteries, and they won't license them.
     
    #3 Mike Dimmick, Jul 13, 2009
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