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To plug-in or not to plug-in...

Discussion in 'Prime Technical Discussion' started by SweetPriusBro, Jan 7, 2018.

  1. SweetPriusBro

    SweetPriusBro Junior Member

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    that is my stupid question. I purchased my Prime yesterday so please forgive me for such a seemingly ignorant question. My rate per kWh is $0.26 so I will be paying $2.28 to go 25 Miles. Gas in California is $3.30. I went on a 350 mile road trip today and averaged 64mpg. So 64 Miles for $3.30 or $2.38 for 25 Miles? Why would I ever plug in at home?

    Stupid question part II: does it really take 8.8 kWh to charge a 8.8kWh battery? There has to be some % lost as heat with that brick converter.
     
  2. Ferrarilover

    Ferrarilover Active Member

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    I think it’s 6.6kw that will take you 25 miles. The 8.8 is never filled or depleted.


    iPhone ?
     
  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    It's about 6.1-6.3kWh on the electricity meter (5.7-5.9kWh true)
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!
    there's a 10-15% loss in the charging process.

    i pay 24 cents/kwh, and only charge for funsies. gas is much cheaper. sometimes, i wonder why i bought a plug in, it cost me a fortune.
     
  5. CharlesH

    CharlesH CA HOV Decal #5 on former PiP

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    What does "true" mean in this context? Is there an issue of power factor here (so Volts times Amps does not equal Watts)?
     
  6. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    Look at the bright side of it, you are saving the planet by not polluting when in electric. Just kidding but I have wondered how may people have bought their Prime strictly to save money or are there really any tree huggers out there.
    I grew up in a polluted area outside of Pittsburgh, Pa. My dad was a steelworker so what do I do, move to Indiana and work in another dirty steel mill. I was lucky to get out of the mill with my health. I really do like the idea of cleaning up the air but I do not consider myself a tree hugger.
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i like trees. and my chainsaw.:sneaky:
     
  8. SweetPriusBro

    SweetPriusBro Junior Member

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    Thanks for the great info guys. I still get to charge at work for free. There are also about a dozen free charging spots within a couple miles of my house. Therefore I’m still hoping to mostly use EV mode. On my first day I got 27 Miles in pure EV mode!
     
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  9. priuscatprimeguy

    priuscatprimeguy Senior Member

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    that IS the question:confused:
     
  10. Old Bear

    Old Bear Senior Member

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    Is your chainsaw gas or electric? Or is it a cordless plug-in?

    plug-in-cordless-chainsaw.jpg
     
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  11. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Is this your only choice, or does your utility have other rate plan choices available for EV charging?

    Figured how?
     
  12. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Oops, my true kWh might be a bit high (probably closer to the low 5s).

    I mean that the actual battery range is worth about 5kWh (even though your power meter will show 6.1-6.3kWh because of the losses as electricity flows through the charging cable and converted from AC to DC)
     
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  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    that's mine! except i have the old blue one. you wouldn't believe the trees i'e cut down with that little thing. and the chain only turns about 7 rpm.:p
     
  14. priuscatprimeguy

    priuscatprimeguy Senior Member

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    wait'll the tree huggers get wind of what you're doing:mad::p
     
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  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    they can hug them horizontally, before they go into the fire.:cool:
     
    #15 bisco, Jan 8, 2018
    Last edited: Jan 8, 2018
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  16. priuscatprimeguy

    priuscatprimeguy Senior Member

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    :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
     
  17. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    Putting 6.3kWh in from the wall results in about 5.7kWh of battery energy returned.
     
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  18. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Thanks!
     
  19. pyramidbuilder

    pyramidbuilder New Member

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    After reading your post, I did my own calculations for my own energy costs. Gas powered, I pay $.05 per mile. On EV, it's $.07 per mile. So, plug in is more expensive. The only advantage for me now is it's free for me to charge at work.
     
  20. ct89

    ct89 Active Member

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    HV - $0.05 per mile is about $3.00 per gallon if you get 60 miles per gallon....Yup, that sounds about right
    EV - $0.07 per mile would translate to $0.33/KWh if you get 30 miles on a 6.3KWh charge...That's a pretty expensive electric rate
     
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