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what if I can't charge? do I get anything with Prime?

Discussion in 'Prime Plug-in Charging' started by ltlurker, Oct 20, 2016.

  1. ltlurker

    ltlurker Member

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    Was looking at a Prius when I stumbled on Prime. I live in the city and is hugely incentivized to go hybrid. What's enticing me is the additional $4500 federal credit. Due to street parking, I don't have an electric outlet to change over night. so the question is whether there's a benefit to get the Prime as opposed to Prius per original plan? or will this car just die overtime since I'm not fully charging the battery?
     
  2. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

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    Think of your car as a cell phone or laptop. Does your cell phone or laptop die overtime if it is not fully charged?
     
  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Slightly better fuel economy (55/53 vs. 54/50). It is a heavier vehicle so perhaps a tad more stability in crosswinds. It can be cheaper than the Prius after the tax credit. If you do highway driving, there is a CHG mode to top up the battery to 80% (Someone here said mpg is about 40ish while charging). That way, you get the benefit of pre-cooling the cabin in the summer (or if you get the Prime Advanced, you can pre heat or cool from your smartphone).

    But a Gen 4 will be lighter and a bit quicker. You can also get the Prius in Touring trim with 17" alloys if you prefer larger wheels. You also have a larger cargo area (both with and without the spare tire. Models without the spare tire have the largest cargo carrying capacity). It also sits 5 vs. 4 in the Prime.
     
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  4. ltlurker

    ltlurker Member

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    i don't fully charge my phone these days and it seems to work fine. Also in hybrid mode, some of the power from breaking, downhill will be soaked back in to the battery. I was simply wondering if that'd do any harm to the prime if I use that as my main mode of charging.

    to add, it'll be my 2nd car so space/weight is not a major concern. the cheaper price does draw me to it
     
    #4 ltlurker, Oct 20, 2016
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2016
  5. giora

    giora Senior Member

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    If you cannot charge very often or not at all, don't worry, you are not the first and you do not harm the traction battery.
    In fact, for the PiP, Toyota recommends to leave it at hybrid level of charge when the car will not be used for a long period of time (they did not specify what is long though).
    Hopefully future may bring you more charging opportunities.
     
  6. ltlurker

    ltlurker Member

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    will be unlikely with street parking. be a little hard to run a power cord via window from 4th floor to ground level.. assuming i get a spot that's close.

    but i'm all down for a cheaper prius
     
  7. DonDNH

    DonDNH Senior Member

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    Don't overlook the possibility of using public charging stations on occasion to supplement your regen charging. Some of these are in "Prime":whistle: parking locations.
     
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  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you lose the 5th seat in back, and the hatch floor is 3" higher. it looks quite a bit different on the outside, and it's 6" longer, so a little more difficult to park. otherwise, it's pretty much the same car.
     
  9. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

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    You're asking good questions. I was trying to get you into the mindset that the battery in the Prime is more or less the same as the battery in anything else. It's just a bigger capacity. Is the battery in a regular Prius harmed when it gets most of its charge through braking?
     
  10. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    There is a major benefit to the Prime if you do short trips, and then a longer highway trip. You can charge the battery on the highway and use EV mode for the short trips. Pearl S mileage is killed because of my two short trips each morning (about 2.5 km each). I'm averaging 5.5 l/100 km - gas guzzler territory! ;)
     
  11. GT4Prius

    GT4Prius Active Member

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    It's it 6 inches longer than Gen4? Thought it was 4? Maybe the 6 is relative to the Gen3 or PiP?

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  12. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Yes, they will. All batteries self discharge over time. In the case of Li-ion, if the charge gets too low, it will not be possible to recharge it, and the battery 'bricks'. This has actually happened to 1 or 2 Tesla Roadsters people bought as an investment, and stored the car without plugging it in.

    But in the case of the Prime and other PHEVs, normal hybrid operation will be enough to prevent this. There might be an issue with the battery's lifespan, but that is only concern if you plan to keep the car until wheels fall off, and something else could take the wheels off before battery goes anyway.

    So if the lack of the fifth seat, loss of cargo space, or being a little bit longer aren't issues, concern for the battery shouldn't be one for getting a Prime over the Prius for incentives.
     
  13. ltlurker

    ltlurker Member

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    they are concerns, but not $4500 concerns.
     
  14. giora

    giora Senior Member

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    I live in an apartment but luckily was able to arrange a charging spot at my parking. I appreciate it's not your case.
    Charging opportunities are discovered if searched for, in my case after having the car I discovered:
    The supermarket we are using for years has two charging spots in its parking lot (free for now).
    The mall in a next town has 4 (free for now).
    My wife found one at work (free) she had to exchange places with a colleague, that is 3 times a week.
    More and more establishments are installing these to capture business.

    In short, if you like it, go for it, with the incentives you are getting more for less...
     
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  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    keep in mind, when looking at the $4,500. you need to compare to a similar lift back package, and need to qualify for the tax credit, unless you lease.
     
  16. MitchR

    MitchR Junior Member

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    I've been thinking this through myself. I don't have a garage and park on the street, so overnight charging isn't possible. At work, I park in a large garage. I've noticed (amazing what you see when you look for it!) lots of electrical outlets -- probably 4 or five on each floor for pressure washers, etc. Since the Prime can be charged with a regular outlet, these would work fine. I am leaning toward the Prime as a hedge against the future. I figure that there are only going to be more and more charging stations/facilities. They might crop up at Starbucks or gas stations or any old place. I wouldn't rely entirely on the EV, but with the Prime you don't have to. There's also a chance that we will build a garage in the next few years so I'd install a 220 service just for the Prime.
     
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  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    maybe it is 4, not sure, it's in the specs thread.
     
  18. MitchR

    MitchR Junior Member

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    Actually, I'm holding out for the Prime PPM (perpetual motion machine).
     
  19. giora

    giora Senior Member

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    When owning the Prime, don't forget to ask permission to charge in these places.
     
  20. ltlurker

    ltlurker Member

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    can you explain a little more on compare similar lift back package? I'm under the impression that prime will be the only one. Volt is a Sedan, leaf is all electric. i3 is a SUV and 30k more. tesla... well, i can't afford it even with tax credit 3x.

    unless I've missed something. the only qualifier is that my tax liability is > 4500. Is there an upper ceiling for overall income as well?