I have a client who considers himself an expert in the auto specifications business; he claimed that the forthcoming Prius PIP will only get about 5 miles in EV mode, even though specs have stated somewhere around 15 miles. I know that we'll all know the truth on the mileage question very soon; I'm going to be picking up my Prius plug-in in Alexandria, Virginia in February/March, so our drive home to Tennessee will be a fun experience. Barring use of A/C or heat, how many miles will we actually get on EV? As someone who works in a home office, my driving is almost always less than 15 miles per day, so I'm hoping EV will make a huge difference to me. Second part of the question: if I use heat for the first 15 miles of driving, how many of those miles will be in EV-only mode? How about if I were using A/C? How much will this influence the miles I'll be able to go in EV mode? Thanks for any insights...
Part 1-It depends. I suspect that one could really thrash the EV (to the limits of thrashing without forcing the ICE on) and shorten the range to 5 miles if you really really tried. I think 10 miles is a practical real world range without even trying. I think hypermilers and those who really keep the speed down and drive conservatively will achieve over the 15 mile range. With the Prototype and it's 14 mile range it automatically forced the EV on at 13.2 miles and I was able to hypermile and get that full distance and got very close to that distance (within 1/2 mile) without trying hard. Hard to know what to expect when using heat. If you want warmth and you set the air to 74F and "auto" I suspect it will run the ICE almost your entire drive.
If you need heat the Prius Plug-in will run the ICE. However, to offset that the EGR helps warm up the engine so it has reduced warm-up time.
There's an online CNN review of the pre-production model in which the reviewer said he only got 6 miles range using the heater so maybe that's where your client got his numbers (?). Prius plug-in stutters in bitter cold - Video - Technology
Would PiP be better off with heated seats and steering wheel in all models? hmmm, it's 30F out and you might get 6 miles EV? argh. anyone test the demo in freezing temps??
I will tell you guys from first hand experience with the Volt if you are in the 30's with batteries you are fine. I have seen a minimal impact in the last couple weeks... As far as heat goes. You guys are WAY better off using the ICE for heat. The Prius using a smaller battery pack will not have the power to run an electric heater. The Volt uses an inline heat pump on a coolant loop to provide cabin heat. Said heat pump uses 7.7kwh's when turned on, and is pretty crappy. Not only does this drastically reduce my range, but the engine will not come on until the battery charge is 0. Turning on said heater basically reduces my start range in 27-30F weather from 42miles, to 23 about. So in theory yes the PiP's range could be cut in half by an electric heater. I personally think you guys are far better off running the ICE for heat since gasoline gives off waste heat anyway as a byproduct of power generation, and saving the Li-Ion batt power for strictly running the wheels. It was rumored before that the prototype PiP's had electric heaters in them, but they will not be installed on the prototypes. As far as heated steering wheel/heated seats this is an area of large debate on the Volt forums. I think the heated seats are useless (which is why I didn't get them), but I have a very low tolerance for cold.. A lot of people like the heated seats as they also reduce your power consumption considerable vs using the cabin heater. There has also been a lot of requests for heated steering wheels since it does get quite cold, and I think it would help as well. Some have put those heated back rests in the base cars. There are also gloves that allow you to use the touch screens/features in the car as well. Just some stuff for you guys to look in to.
I personally suspect the EPA sticker will show zero miles of EV range. (see blended sample sticker on EPA website), just my opinion. Am I correct in assuming they have to publish the sticker before delivering retail units?
Hopefully we can settle this thread soon. http://priuschat.com/forums/toyota-...ment-in-sun-post-pip-epa-sticker-guesses.html
Since the sticker has to be attached to the car before it is delivered Toyota are going to have to publish it before the first car arrives at a dealership. I think the sticker will probably show between 10 miles of 15 miles of EV range and I am personally leaning closer to 10 miles. Noel
Sticker must be available when they sell any cars. They can do demos or other distribution without having the numbers.
How many miles in EV mode? probably 10 to 18 depending (among other factors) by your driving style. EPA All Electric Range is a different animal, as far as I understand this is the distance the car "goes" in the EPA cycles until the ICE first fires, could be this is what your client is referring to: if after, say, 5 miles there is (in the cycle) such a power demand that force the PIP to fire the engine - that's it, all the EV miles after this 'event' do not count. After all the PIP (unlike the VOLT) is built to maximize efficiency. For me personally AER by EPA means nothing, it depends on the cycle set-up. In the (much less aggressive) Japanese JC08 cycle the PIP achieved over 26 km of EV range. Hope I understand correctly.
