Question-2025 Prius in EV Mode: Reply quickly!

Question-2025 Prius in EV Mode: Reply quickly! | Page 3 | PriusChat

Prius drag coefficient cd:

• 1st Generation: 0.29
• 2nd Generation: 0.26
• 3rd Generation: 0.25
• 4th Generation: 0.24
• 4th Generation Prime PHEV: 0.25
  
• 5th Generation LE/SE (17” wheels with aero covers): 0.27
• 5th Generation with 19” wheels: 0.29

The Gen 5 PHEV is heavier, too.

 

perhaps the larger wheel/tyre blocks more air? anyway, toyota chose form over function as a compromise to boost flagging sales.
a lot of prius people were bummed, but a lot of new users came on board just for the styling, handling and acceleration

 

The coefficient of drag is worse than previous, though the shorter roofline leads to a smaller frontal area. Not enough to totally overcome that drag.

Bigger wheels are bad for efficiency no matter the car. They add weight to the worse spot. The previous Camry hybrid LE got 16 inch steel wheels instead of the 17 inch alloys on the ICE model and hybrids in other markets got because it returned a 50mpg for the window sticker.

While it has a higher thermal efficiency than the old 1.8L engine, it isn't a large increase in the 2L. The 2L was chosen to increase performance along with favoring aesthetics to improve sales. Despite being more powerful, the gen5 LE is almost as good as the gen4 Eco in fuel economy. The higher trims match the combined rating of the rest of the gen4s.

Instead of getting the ~10% improvement in ratings seen in past generations, Toyota opted to use advances to keep the ratings where the gen4 was while using any improvements to make a Prius that appeals to more buyers. It disappoints the fans of past models, but the sales of those were heading towards cancellation for the US.

The wheels don't block more air. The skinny tires block less actually. It is in how the air flows past the wheel with the different spoke designs. It also isn't all in the wheels. The 19 inch tire is taller than the 17 inch. That raises the car 0.4 inches. Doesn't sound like much, but it's enough to have an impact on aerodynamics.

https://www.toyota.com/content/dam/toyota/brochures/pdf/2024/prius_ebrochure.pdf

 

I don’t know for sure, but I think the increased ground clearance increases the drag coefficient cd by creating more turbulence beneath the car. Moreover, larger wheels lack the aero wheel covers.

 

It also increases the frontal area.

 

You'd need 3 weeks of direct sunlight to charge your battery,
or you'd need enough solar panels to cover 3 parking spots to deliver a useful charge in a reasonable time.

No thanks for me, but each their own.

 

agree on the fun techie part, but i hate parking in the sun and avoid it if at all possible.
except in winter

 

it would probably take a more expensive controller, or even a buffer battery to do that

 

It can put energy into the 12V circuit while the car is running. It should be able to do that while charging.

 

Neither will it supply energy to the traction battery while driving, but it can supply to the 12V accessories. Don't see why it won't do the same while the car is plugged in.

 

that should be available for download at techinfo.toyota.com with the repair manual. probably around 50 bucks these days, but maybe less, haven't seen anyone mention cost in awhile

 

In Gen 5, unlike in Gen 4, when the car is plugged in, the main DC–DC converter is turned on and powers the 12-V system, aggressively charging the 12-V battery. As a result, the solar charger in Gen 5 will not contribute any power to the 12-V system when the car is plugged in.