Why is the charging port in back?

I don't know but maybe so it is closer to the batteries, so there is less cabling. It would work in a parallel parking spot.

 

But they also said it was moved based on user feedback... so I'd like to know why? For example, it's a lot easier to put in a dedicated circuit near the inside of most garages, where your circuit panel might be. I certainly don't have any existing power outlets near my garage door, so I'm going to need to run an extension cord or put in a new circuit out there.

It will also be a pain if I want to park the car on the other side of the garage some times... I'll have to have the cord go behind the other car. If it were in the front center of the garage, it wouldn't matter where the car was.

So I think this decision sucks if it weren't for technical reasons, and just because one or two people happened to have a garage setup that favored the back right side! I've seen how some marketers over-react to individual feedback, so you never know what happened to make this decision.

 

Yeah, I guess it sounds better. As someone who is in marketing, I would be very worried if it really was actual feedback!

 

I really liked the charge port in front of the drivers door on the pre-production model. Those who plug in at home could easily drive off forgetting that the charge cable is plugged in on the rear of the other side of the car. In front of the drivers door is the best place for the receptacle.

 

Holy crap that's a good point. And now it will require someone always to go to the opposite corner of the car every time they want to drive it away from being plugged in. I get that pilots like to do an airplane walk-around before each flight... guess we'll all now be doing the same 360 before we drive. Sigh.

 

Another reason is the cost associated in case of a collision. Having the port in front can result in the entire charging port be replaced while in the back its less probable to get damaged.

 

I seem to remember reading somewhere that the car won't start while plugged in, so worst case would be having to get out of the car and walk around to pull the plug.

 

Per a review at autoblog.com (that I can't post the url to yet)

"Many tricks were used to keep the weight down, including relocating the charge port. Older development models had a port above the passenger-side front wheel, with wires tailing back to the onboard charger mounted under the front passenger seat, then running to the battery pack in the back. Now, the port and charger are located by the rear passenger wheel, which reduces the amount of internal wiring needed."

 

If it works like the Volt the car will start while plugged in, but it will NOT let you move the lever out of park. Also in the Volt what I have noticed is if I turn the car on while it is plugged in (using the power button in the car, and not remote start) is it will immediately stop charging the car. If you use remote start though it will use the wall power to run the A/C or heater and pre-condition the interior.

Personally I would like the charge port in the back. At our house it is a pain in the butt for me to back in to the driveway as the charge cable is fairly short, and will not reach the front left side of the car if I pull in forward. So for me having the charge port on the back would be awesome! I guess it depends on your parking situation, where you live, and all that as to whether having the charge point on the front or back would matter. There is not a lot of cabling in the Volt since the battery is in the tunnel, and I imagine Toyota also wanted to limit the amount of cabling.. Also wonder where they would run it all as I thought the Prius already had a lot of wires/cables running in most of the available space.

 

Yes, can just see it now: woman pulls away with Prius still plugged into wall port - film at 11

<cut to photo footage>

Me stomping and storming in my driveway as my garage is pulled off the foundation by my car!!!

 

I know, I was totally joking. I'm feeling playful... it's fatigue!

 

my evse in at the head of the garage. I'll have to back a pip in. (of course, when I put the EVSE in, I also ran a dedicated 20A circuit to exactly where the PIP charging port is. Maybe I'll switch to that (too bad I just spent ~$1000 on an EVSE!))

 

Everyone has to back up; so now one will need to back into their drieway, garage or parking spot instead of backing out. May not be what most are accustomed to, but seems very easy to do. (I personally always back into my driveway)

 

I can see where it would be awkward in some charging stations. But since I only plan to charge it in my garage I don't care where they put it. I plan to have the cable come from the ceiling and have a hook to hang it up. So wherever they put it I can located the plugin at the right spot.