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Why is the charging port in back?

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by Rebound, Nov 18, 2011.

  1. 9G-man

    9G-man Senior Member

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    But plug-in charging would not use the Hybrid System inverter to charge the batteries. That charger is located under the back passenger seat, thus the current location of the plug-in. The front-driver fender location required additional cable to the charger.
     
  2. John in LB

    John in LB Life is good

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    Back, right side is Perrrrfeeeeecccct for my garage... 3 feet from the plug and the circuit breaker panel....
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    my outlet is front left and i pull in front first. i may just run an extension cord up and over and a hook to hang everything on. if i go 240v at some point, i might have to rethink it.
     
  4. DianneWhitmire

    DianneWhitmire High PRIUStess

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    Now I know how to plan this with the electrician
    Or I can just back up in John in LB's driveway......;)

     
  5. DianneWhitmire

    DianneWhitmire High PRIUStess

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    Tim! :eek:

     
  6. John in LB

    John in LB Life is good

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    Hey, what will be the proper etiquette for guests coming over with their PiP - Am I suppose to offer them a charge????? (along with a cup of coffee...)

    Hmmmm.... that's kind of funny, now that I think of it.
     
  7. DianneWhitmire

    DianneWhitmire High PRIUStess

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    Sweet! That's funny!
    I'll be doing that at the dealership, along with a quick wash on all plugins that stop in. :)


     
    Ken Blake likes this.
  8. crewdog

    crewdog Acting Ensign Prius Prime

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    If i were a guest bumming a charge, i think i'd bring over a bottle of suitable vintage and offer to split it with you.
     
  9. compac

    compac PSU, Metallic Blue Ribbon

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    So how much for a quickie... maybe 1 beer of a shared 6 pack but then there is the drinking and driving issue.:eek:

     
  10. DianneWhitmire

    DianneWhitmire High PRIUStess

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    I can just see it now... like a free wifi site locator... we'll have a underground link to find plug in stations that you can sneak a charge at! :rolleyes:

    ... needs my juice, man!!
     
  11. mitch672

    mitch672 Technology Geek

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    There already are several charging locators, I am on PlugShare:

    PlugShare - Electric Vehicle Charging Network
     
  12. Prius Team

    Prius Team Toyota Marketing USA

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    You guys crack me up.

    The new location is based on a number of factors and I think all were covered in this thread except the fact that this location works best for me and I shouted the loudest when it came to providing feedback to the engineers. Just kidding.

    No, seriously, I think someone alluded to this, maybe Tony, the car is a global car and during customer research and feedback stages, it became apparent that there actually is no standard for garages and individuals' needs across the globe. So, the engineers went with what made the most sense from an engineering standpoint to save on extra wiring, weight and cost and make it as efficient as possible.
    The truth is, this location does work better for some than others (myself included in the former).

    Also, depending on your electricity rates, you may be overpaying if you're offering a beer trade for a "charge up."

    Erica Gartsbeyn
    Prius Product Manager
    Toyota USA

    PS: guidelines for the car will clearly state no extension cord usage. The standard cordset is 24 ft which has never been an issue for anywhere I've charged the vehicle and I've used it in many different locations.
     
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  13. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    Erica,

    I've seen public car chargers at the Oakland Airport and Fry's Electronics, and they're all in standard parking spots. You'd have to back into one of those spots with a Plug-in Prius. I think your engineers made a mistake.

    Think about it: Try to imagine the public parking spots you most often use, and where a charger would be located. Except for a parallel parking spot, you'll see that in all of the public parking scenarios, a front-mounted charging port is better. It doesn't matter that the cable could be long enough to reach; the shorter cable run is better. If you really want the best experience, put two charging ports on the vehicle.

    Seriously, this is something most owners will need to hassle with four times a day. For my own part, I pre- ordered a car, but thinking out the logistics of attaching a charger to that location with my home's layout might kill the deal for me, and running long cords at work or always backing into parking spaces is not very appealing to me.
     
  14. drees

    drees Senior Member

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    Your post may be tongue-in-cheek but I'll certainly be more than happy to offer any PiP guests a charge if it means they'll be able to get home using less gas.

    Naw, that just gives you another incentive to park like a rock star. Studies have shown that parking like a rock star (google it) is actually safer than pulling in front first.
     
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  15. radiocycle

    radiocycle Active Member

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    Yes, but backing into spots in parking lots is the preferred/safest method of parking.
     
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  16. hmcgregor

    hmcgregor New Member

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    Backing into a parking spot is virtually the norm over most of the world.

    I have a co-worker visiting us for the month from Israel, and he insists on doing the driving, as he wants pointers on how to deal with American (well at least Tucson AZ) traffic. It took me a while to get used to him backing into every parking spot.

    Technically backing into the spot, and pulling out forward is the safest way to park, since when you are "entering" traffic you have full vision instead of rear vision.

    I have no issues with the charging location.
     
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  17. mitch672

    mitch672 Technology Geek

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    I guess you should do what I did then, buy a Nissan Leaf, you'll have your front charging port, and you will never have to worry about gasoline again :)
     
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    24' will get me from the front left corner where the outlet is to the rear right corner with plenty to spare!
     
  19. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Six pages and no one answered the original question. The answer is: Because Prius are female.

    Tom
     
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i'm afraid any reply to that might be considered sexist.:rolleyes: