Prius Plug-in and Volt Pros and Cons

For my first year of ownership, I had 2 miles commute with 13 stop lights and 1 stop sign. PiP gas efficiency for the entire year average in NY was 56 MPG. That's because EV miles were able to cover those frequent short trips avoiding inefficient gas engine warm-up penalties.

Electricity economy was very good too with 132 MPGe.

 

I think it has little to do with the battery chemistry but instead the capacity/size of it and the programming to take advantage of it.

If NiMH was used, I think it would have even better regen brake as it has higher power density.

 

Consumer Reports says the PIP got 1 mpg less in their testing.

 

It really depends on how aggressive you drive.

For a typical hybrid owner, PiP will get more MPG as ownership experience reported here.

EPA cycle is medium and CR cycle is extreme aggressive.

A regular Prius got 44 MPG on CR cycle. If you get more than that, you drive less aggressively than CR. Just pointing out some data points to gauge.

 

The PIP weighs 120 lbs more than the regular Prius. There is an energy cost to hauling that extra weight around.

 

The more efficient system easily overcomes that.

120 pounds isn't that significant anyway.

 

How do you know the PIP has a more efficient system than the regular Prius? Source? Remember, we're talking about not plugging it in. 120 lbs is significant. Seldom is the battery in my Prius II full, and I live in a hilly area, so I doubt a bigger battery would do much to capture more regenerated energy. YMMV, of course.

 

I can only tell you that my '11 Five Tech Package would get around 42mpg in the 4.3 miles from my place to my fiance's (1 mile uphill going). My PiP in pure HV mode gets 47-48mpg on that same short trip.

If all you're going to do is quote CR and ignore the experience of the members here, more power to you. But I can unequivocally state a substantial HV improvement with the PiP, as have many others who came from Gen II or even Gen III Priuses.

 

I think that CR assumes that the typical driver is a lead-footed NASCAR wannabee, and designs their mileage tests accordingly. My wife, who is about as far from a hypermiler freak as one could imagine ("just drive it"), gets significantly better than the CR numbers.

 

I wouldn't be surprised if most people do.

 

I had a 2010 Prius IV for 4 years, I then traded it in on a 2014 Prius plug-in. On the highway driving over the same road with each vehicle for over 400 miles, the plug-in got 56 MPG vs 52 MPG with the regular Prius.

 

Yup, due to the bigger battery which also provide better regen brakes.

PiP battery can provide more power even in hybrid mode. That should allow ICE to stay in optimal BSFC rpm.

It may be tested reason why EPA highway figure for PiP is 1 MPG higher.

 

Who likes troll bait?

 

Each attempt gets more desperate, providing us with a handy gauge of status.

It's simply not worth rehashing arguments of the past that didn't accomplish anything.

 

DNFTT!

 

Another data point for all you Consumer Reports haters, a Popular Mechanics review on the 2013 PIP: 4 Top Plug-in Hybrids, Tested - Popular Mechanics

Hybrid Mode MPG: 51.0 (EPA highway) / 49.0 (EPA city) / 46.7 (PopMech observed)

Our biggest issue: Limited EV range means the Prius Plug-In isn't a substantive improvement over the standard Prius, which costs less and has higher mpg ratings.​

 

Data points imply rigorous scientific/engineering testing standards, which is lacking here.

On one hand we have the anecdotal evidence of one or two lead footed drivers with a fancy magazine name behind them. On the other hand, we have the anecdotal evidence of a greater number of drivers and mpg data from this site. Many of the latter are engineers/scientists who do understand testing and statistics. Whose "data" is more credible?

If one bought a PEV or BEV because he wants the thrill of driving the vehicle to it's maximum performance capabilities, he made a rather poor choice in vehicle (except maybe a Tesla). For the rest of us who don't live on racetracks and do normal things like commuting...

 

Magazine data points are good but limited. Ownership experiences come from a full year of driving on real-world road.

Weight it however you like. PiP fit my commute a year ago. Then, we bought a new house. During the selling and buying transition, I had no way of charging it. PiP delivered 56 MPG and I couldn't be happier.

Life and driving pattern will change but PiP will get the most out of both fuels. I love it.