Range Neurosis

I wouldn't own a pure EV* because of range anxiety.

But my PiP drives me crazy. Or rather, I drive myself crazy.

I suffer from range neurosis.

On which part of the 25 mile drive should I use my paltry 10.8 EV miles? Should I take the less convenient route to avoid an electron-gobbling hill? Should I stop for lunch at the restaurant I like, or the one next to the parking garage with the charger?

Having owned a PiP Advanced for a year and a half now, I love it. I love the interior and all the gadgets. I love the carpool lane sticker. The cargo space has been a big help.

But I'd like to pay more attention to the road and less to the HSI. I'd like to change lanes and accelerate without worrying about triggering the ICE. I'd like to leave home knowing that I'll return with a charge in the battery.

I waited ten years to be able to buy a PiP. Now I’m waiting for a plug-in with a range in the high double digits that’s as nice a car (space, comfort, gadgets) as the Prius. First one on the market will be my cure for range neurosis.
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* - The only exception on range being a Tesla, which, although huge fun to drive, is too huge for my garage and most parking spots, and too spartan for a $70k+ car.

 

No thanks. See my footnote above - I wouldn't have one.

The first serious possibility I've seen is the forthcoming BMW i3. But it's designed as a city car, and I need to drive freeways.

I saw a prototype, and it feels like the designers thought, "How close could we come to a Smart car and still call it a BMW?" But it's still a four passenger car (barely). When it's available to test drive, and if it feels OK on the freeway, I might get one.

 

My PiP generates less carbon emissions on electricity than gas, according to a study that showed that an electric car in California generates the same emissions, well to wheels, as a gas vehicle getting 79 MPG. Where I live, it's probably even better because there's zero coal in our electricity mix.

(YMMV. In much of the central and southern US, where more coal is used, the PiP would be cleaner on gas than electricity.)

I also like driving on electrons because it's cheaper, quieter, and way cool.

 

Do people want cars with larger and larger gas tanks?

I just want enough range to cover 99% of my normal driving days without having to think about managing or replenishing energy.

But you're right in that double my 10.9 EV miles won't be enough.

'exactly.

 

Now, yes. Once an EV can go as far on a charge as an ICE car on a tankful, not so much.

Nah. I want a car that's as nice as my PiP, with twice the range of the Volt.

Sounds like I need a BMW i3.

 

I agree, but am not holding my breath.

Toyota's big commitment is to the mature Prius technology, which is what makes the PiP so great. It still blows me away how the PiP can switch from EV to HV, from propulsion to regeneration, and feel just like the ICE cars that everyone is used to.

But IMO the way of the future is BMW's i3 technology, pairing an EV with an optional "range extender" generator with no mechanical connection to the drive train. That's why California created a special BEVx category (Battery Electric Vehicle with range extender) to qualify the i3 for the white carpool sticker.

The range extender is intended to be used rarely, can not start unless the charge is depleted, and will probably degrade performance when in use. It's really just a cure for range anxiety.

This will be the bridge technology to widespread public acceptance of EVs.

It would be great to have one from Toyota, but I don't think it's in the cards. BTW the two other manufacturers that asked California for the BEVx category were VW and Chrysler. See the whole story here.

 

True. What I'm saying is that with current EV ranges, many people need hybrid capacity to avoid dealing with range issues on a daily basis. Once a typical EV range is up to 150 miles, that will be much rarer.

Every case is different. I'm talking distribution curves here.