Nissan Working Up 200+ Mile Version of Leaf Battery-Car

You aren't required to have an HOV sticker and the Volt can have the same sticker. That's not a valid difference between the PiP and Volt.

It seems like the PiP could be a better match to your situation but of course there are other reasons for choosing between cars.

For example, getting a Volt might be cheaper... Dianne Whitmire just recently posted her latest PiP prices and they are about $3,000 higher after credits but before tax and registration ($24,000 vs $21,000) than the 2015 Volts recently available in stock from Rydell Chevrolet just a few miles away from her dealership.

 

Guess, I needed a smilies. I'm pretty sure ETC(SS) is in a state that doesn't get the PPI.

 

I didn't make my point very clearly, and it's really off the original topic.
I should have said that I prefer a PHEV with a larger battery, and I don't need the extra seat.
I do need the ICE.

The fact multiple BEVs are on the horizon with real-world ranges that are between 150 and 200 miles isn't new.
The fact that these cars will be more affordable and available IS.
When the LEAF came out I said something like:
$40,000 DOT approved, climate-controlled golf cart with seating for five.

That simply wasn't true, and not just because the Leaf seats 4 instead of 5.
Now?
They're closer to $30,000 and in a few years the price will continue to hover in that range while the real-world range gets more and more useable for people who live away from major urban centers.
They're closer to car than golf cart that I originally gave them credit for.....but Nissan's range estimates are still not even close to real-world.

The real story for PC is.......Where is Toyota?

What will the next Pip look like?

Will there BE a next Pip?

 

I understand why you would need ICE. The question is why do you prefer bigger battery and ok with sacraficing efficiency?

My PiP EV efficiency had been about 135 MPGe averaged over 2.5 years of ownership. Through summer or winter, it is averaged.

Leaf could probably touch that figure in ideal condition but not under NY,NJ winters. Volt EV efficiency is rated worse than Leaf.

The reason why I did so well is because I used ICE in synergy. My gas mileage did not suffer either, averaging about 54 MPG.

In accepting advantages of both fuels and using them properly, I was able to get the most out of both. I can see your 5 miles commute exploited with PiP.

 

A significant difference running in EV vs. REx.

 

It has been said by some Toyota representatives, and brought here to PC:
"- There will be a PHV variant of the 4Gen Prius."

 

It'll be intesting to see which way Toyota is going to go with Gen2 PiP.

Range, Lower Emission, Interior Space, Spare Tire or perhaps a balance of all.

 

I recall reading somewhere that the gen 4 Prius is supposed to be the sportier design, while the PiP is supposed to be more conservative. Of course, since we don't know what either one looks like yet, it's all speculation as to what they mean by that.

I'm really hoping they blow our socks off with the next Prius. This collective high expectation may also be why they're taking their sweet time with it, to make sure it does wow us when they release it. It's too late to just be "Gen 3 with better mpg", it has to be more powerful, better handling, better looking, and hopefully longer EV range (for the PiP). I could live with 20 miles EV range if it gets 60 mpg in hybrid mode, or has electric AWD on it.

Otherwise, people will just flock to competitor cars, some of whom have already done that due to these delays with no teases to keep us interested. And I really hope they're not too stubborn about releasing the gen 2 PiP nationwide this time around.

 

I don't expect from the leaks that the gen IV will knock anyone's socks off. The leaks are for incremental improvements. 5% lighter weight, 5% more efficient engine, better suspension, changed look but still look like a prius (guessing back stays similar, front looks less wedgelike) which should add to better handling, acceleration, and fuel economy. Possible awd and lithium batteries as options. The delay seemed to have to do with the cars handling and the new platform. The new platform should lower toyota's cost which they can use to either lower the cost to the customer, add content at the same cost like they did with the gen III, or increase profit margins. The car sells well and I don't expect that conservative toyota wants to mess it up, which means incremental improvements.

On phv we have to wait until the end of next year to see what they are bringing. Rumors have been scarce since the last delay.

I think the nationwide phv won't be known until release.

 

Once you get to 50+ MPG, is 10% more really that significant to the average buyer?

Even is 50 that significant when others are advertising 38-40 cheaper and I'm getting 20 now? I think the sales numbers show ~40 trumps 50+ when all cars sold are considered. Cheaper instant gratification at the lower price/lease.

Toyota has a tough challenge with state support gone, HOV access dwindling, etc.

 

Selling hybrids? basically Toyota and Ford, the others not so much; February 2015: Pray-for-supply-shock edition

 

gas at $2.50, a refusal to raise the gas tax and toll roads being added in places where there didn't used to be places.

 

And forecasts of $2.00 or less. $2.229 today, down a few cents from before the weekend.

 

I almost feel sorry for the unions.
Bad time to try to gouge your employer for more money.....

 

I believe the main issues are safety and and using not as well trained non-union contactors. The first plant that this strike started had some really bad safety issues. It looks like when local safety issues, which vary from refinery to refinery, are negotiated the strike will end The union also negotiated a 12% pay raise over 4 years, which doesn't sound like gouging at all. Strike took place with only 6500 of the 30,000 union members in the plants with the worst safety records, if they wanted to gouge they would have a strike with all workers. Refineries build inventories this time of year, so not much impact with refined products if the strike ends soon.

The regulators don't seem to be looking out for worker safety, I think this is an appropriate job for the union. This is one of the striking refineries.


Tesoro Refinery Fatal Explosion and Fire - Investigations | the U.S. Chemical Safety Board

Ok, back on topic ... Go Nissan - improve range. Lower battery prices and user surveys say that is the way to go. BMW might have a better solution with a small range extender, but california regulators make them have a tiny gas tank.

 

I concur fully that looking out for worker safety is (or should be!) a very appropriate union function.
We'll leave it there.
I'm a dues-paying member of a labor union, and so I have a right to throw rotten vegetables at them HOWEVER (comma!) this isn't the place for that.
Gas is hovering around the $2 mark - but I've been saying for a while now that it's still too expensive to throw the stuff away.
Go Nissan indeed!!!
DON'T do the FOMOCO thing and exagerrate your range.
DO continue to put a BEV on the market that can meet more people's needs.

Does anybody really think that gas will not go back up?

 

I'll go out on a limb. In 23 months or less - gas / oil will be DOUBLE what it is today - mid March 2015. From what I gather of markets & non-renewals, it's a sure thing. So save up ... February 2017 is just around the corner. This'll be my mini time capsule. I'll dig this prediction up & see you in 23 months.

.

 

you want a saw with that limb?

 

The US will also be switching to ULSG around that time. At the very lease, the extra refining to remove the sulfur will add to the price.