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Power to the People (Toyota Press Release)

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by bwilson4web, Feb 24, 2014.

  1. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    So I was intrigued to see a Prius commercial from a near-by Toyota dealership with a really good price, '$299 per month.' But I had not been paying attention and it was gone before I could read the details. I called the dealer and they are going to get back with me but that was not the reason for this post as I checked the Toyota News Releases and found:
    Source: Power to the People | Corporate

    Now some of us think 'it is about time!' The Japanese Estima, a hybrid minivan, has (or had) a house power, inverter option. The original Ford Escape hybrid also had a house power inverter option. Many of us have added our own 12V-to-120VAC inverters for emergency power and a few have tapped into the traction battery. How many pioneers does Toyota have to see before someone 'suggests' that it could be a popular option?

    Sad to say, this press release does not herald Toyota actually 'getting a clue.' But perhaps instead of instantly recycling old traction batteries, there may be life for the usable modules later. It only takes 1 module to 'fail the pack', which then sacrifices the remaining 27-37 modules to the same recyclers. It makes a lot more sense to survey the remaining modules and reclaim and reuse those that can provide additional service. Don't waste a resource and that includes the traction battery modules.

    Going back to my original motivation, 'a price too good to believe.' I'm looking forward to a Prius 'clearance sale' and was hoping Toyota would finally get serious about selling a Prius like any other car. I have friends who spend nearly a Prius car payment each month on gas and having a '$299/mo' option would be very attractive since nobody is getting a raise and gas prices are on the rise.

    Bob Wilson

    ps. Yes, I know that was a long walk for a short drink of water but didn't have time to write it shorter.
     
    #1 bwilson4web, Feb 24, 2014
  2. pmike

    pmike Member

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    I paid just under $23k OTD for my new 2013 Prius Two. With $1k down and financing $22k for 72 months that comes out to $320 a month: How to buy a car | PriusChat

    Usually the the too good to be true offers have a catch. The $299 month one probably assumes a trade they are going to screw you on or $3k down payment.
     
    #2 pmike, Feb 24, 2014
  3. Canard

    Canard Member

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    I'll believe the hydrogen thing when I see it... have been hearing fuel cell vehicles will be "just a year or two" away for the last 20 years.
     
    #3 Canard, Feb 24, 2014
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  4. Deleted member 111882

    Deleted member 111882 Guest

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    Nice point. I'm not sure if they can design something practical to power a whole house, but maybe whatever they design can power a room and an electric heater.

    We all ramble, no worries, I ramble to myself all the time :ROFLMAO:
     
    #4 Deleted member 111882, Feb 24, 2014
  5. Dogwood2

    Dogwood2 Member

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    Had the option been offered, I would have paid for a factory-mounted inverter-ready receptacle (preferably including a circuit breaker or fuse), or some similar option to make a large inverter hookup trivial and foolproof. Yes, we can do the job without Toyota support, but the sophistication required is enough to discourage many people. (I see the C-Max includes a built-in light-duty 117 volt receptacle.)
     
    #5 Dogwood2, Feb 24, 2014
    walter Lee likes this.
  6. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    What they have are being used to peak shave dealerships in Japan. The units(there is a thread here or Cleanmpg.com on them) charge up up night on low electric rates, and provide power during the day at high rate times. They are sizable, like industrial air conditioner size.

    I though Toyota started offering a power supply option on the Prius or PPI in Japan after the tsunami.
     
    #6 Trollbait, Feb 24, 2014
  7. El Dobro

    El Dobro A Member

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    #7 El Dobro, Feb 24, 2014
  8. walter Lee

    walter Lee Hypermiling Padawan

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    Yeah, I would too. Even a 1000 Watt emergency backup generator would be useful. It doesn't have to run a two ton Heat pump Or a stove - just the fridge and the internet computer. The problem as I see it would be having useful power output while preventing a power spike from damaging the inverters.
     
    #8 walter Lee, Feb 25, 2014
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