Prius Plug-in Hybrid Update

I guess the problem is Toyota hasn't offered more than one size of battery for the PiP. So it's Toyota who has made it "one PiP fits all".

The gasoline cost me just over $10000 CAD for my 2004 Prius, which I kept for 11 years (until it died in an accident), and 160000 km. So in terms of TCO, it probably was closer to 20% if you include general maintenance and repairs.

However, I'm guessing gas in Canada is much cheaper than in Slovenia. However, it's even cheaper in the US.

Mind you, I did get a good chunk of money back from the insurance company so I guess I should factor that back into the TCO calculation.

 

Those miles are counted as HV.

You're still getting the benefit of the electricity provided by plugging in, but not being identified as EV is one of those things.

MPG from that blending due to the "boost" is nice, but often overlooked as a result.

 

Thought about it a ton. Just didn't do it because the battery pack on the Gen 2 is smaller still than the PiP.

I'd like to have the EV ability but I don't want to degrade the battery pack from frequent use of the EV switch.

Unless you are talking about adding an additional pack and not just the switch they have on the Japanese Gen 2.

As to an additional pack I didn't see it as cost effective. I'm thinking it's cheaper to just sell the Prius and get a Leaf than it is to buy an add on pack.

What I'm looking for is a car with enough battery pack to act like the Gen 2 did with the EV switch on but without having to hit a switch every day. Program the computer to avoid gas usage as much as possible at low speeds and provide a large enough capacity in kWh to make that happen.

 

Fuel cell cars are likely the future, and I'd consider getting a Toyota fuel cell car if the design is sport's car beautiful - perhaps a two-seat, fuel cell commuter having a design similar to that of the 2nd generation Toyota MR2s - this would sell like hot cakes. I still have a Pontiac Fiero (1988 GT, V6, 5-speed, T-Top, bright red w/tan interior), and I always liked the Toyota MR2s, too.

If Toyota doesn't come out with a two-seater, fuel cell commuter, then I'll probably keep trucking along in my 2012 PIP until an automaker does come out with one.

Here's Godzuki's wishlist for the next gen PIP:
1) wireless charging
2) 17-in lightweight rims as an option
3) more variety of exterior colors (including 2-tone color options)
4) 20-25 miles EV range, with possibility to stay in EV mode at speeds up to 75 mph
5) sunroof (even a simple manual pop-up sunroof would be fine)
6) more conventional dash with speedometer in front of driver (not center-biased)
7) battery-killing sport mode (insane mode) with traction control - would permit 0-60 times in the 5 second range, 1/4 miles times in the 13s or 14s.
8) independent rear suspension (maybe from the Lexus CT 200h)

 

I read a ton of posts but am still confused on this one...can I just go to toyota and order a 2014 space saver spare and carry that and a jack around when I plan to drive in the middle of nowhere ? Is one size fits all for spares ?
Which one did you buy...

Thanks Jack

 

there is already a jack under the driver seat. you can order a compact spare for gen III 2010-2015 lift back, it's the same as plug in. not cheap though, i lucked out, the dealer parts guy actually had a used one, and gave it to me for $100. i think. you can also look at salvage yards and ebay. or some people keep a full size, it's not that much bigger.
if i need the hatch floor, i throw it behind the passenger seat. it's not ideal, but the spare is going away and i prefer to have one. some also buy a better jack and a piece of wood to put it on, in case the ground is soft.

 

I wonder what would happen to a loose spare if you're in a front end collision. I think the seat back would stop it, but not sure. Toyota makes a big deal out of providing a restraint belt and instruction, for the situation where you've used the temp spare (with reg prius) due to a flat, and have a full size wheel tire in the hatch area.

 

you get straps and tiedown hooks, no need to leave it loose, although i do.

 

All the auto makers make a deal about restraining the flat with the straps they provide. It is mostly CYA on their part. A loose wheel flying through the cabin in the event of an accident is bad, but so is any large or heavy object that someone might have stashed in the hatch.

Like the V6, spare tires are just going away over time. Tires have gotten better over time, and most flats are going to be a simple puncture. I'd say get a basic tire plug kit to keep in the car. I did, and I have a spare. They are less work than changing the tire on the side of a busy road. The slime is easier, but can cause problems later on. Or, since every car is required to have TPMS, get a set of run flats.

 

toyota slime is anything but easy, i'd much rather change the wheel on a cold snowy/rainy night in east podunk.

 

.....if the hydrogen industry during the 1970's hadn't said it'll be here in 10 years
....if the hydrogen industry during the 1980's hadn't said it'll be here in 10 years
....if the hydrogen industry during the 1990's hadn't said it'll be here in 10 years
.....if the hydrogen industry during the 2000's hadn't said it'll be here in 10 years
etc etc, decade after decade,
&
.....if the hydrogen industry didn't need a trillion dollar infrastructure ...
&
.... if they didn't have to run on & deplete our natural gas supply to distill hydrogen ...
&
.... if the hydrogen industry could make cars that could cost under $75,000 w/out needing to have their sales volume in the 6 figures (plus incentives) - well other than that ... sure .... they're likely the future

.

 

I have no interest at all in a hydrogen fuel cell car at this time. I suspect the same will be true in 10 years.

As for the spare, I might have kept the old one from my previous Prius, except the trunk was bent shut. Plus, I don't like the idea of keeping a spare in the back seat. Secured in the trunk often doesn't work either because it takes up too much space.

BTW, I note that my neighbour's Acura doesn't come with a spare either, and it's regular gasoline vehicle. I was surprised. It seems to be a cost saving and space saving measure these days for all classes of cars I guess.

I will buy a plug-based repair kit, to complement the slime. Also, is there better slime that doesn't damage the pressure sensor?

 

Deleting the spare also saves weight which, in turn can help with official MPG numbers.
The only Sonic without a spare tire is the LT sedan with 1.4L and manual transmission. The lowered trim LS has a spare. Leaving the spare out of the more aerodynamic sedan with little turbo engine may have been the difference between a 39 and 40 mpg highway for all the 1.4L w/ manual models.

 

good slime is an oxymoron.

 

Gen2 EV mode gives you about 10kW of EV power before the gas engine kicks in and speed was limited to 25 mph. PiP has 40 kW, goes up to 62 mph and always starts in EV mode (if it has EV charge available).

 

The same thing happened with the Honda Fit. The manual transmission model has a spare, but with the automatic they replaced the spare with a pump-and-seal kit, PURELY to trim a few pounds and improve the mpg, tipping them into another rating class. The spare was available as an option, for $200 and change.

 

I think Fiat charges $300 for a spare.
With a little research and leg work cheaper alternatives could be had. I think Leaf owners just use spares or full size wheels from Altimas.

 

agreed, some have used corolla i think. but you really have to know your wheel sizes. i find it confusing. even parts counter people don't understand them.

 

So what would I want in a new Pip???
Greater EV range- heck make the traction battery modular. 1 guy needs 4kw, where I may need 10kw. I'll buy added modular packs to increase range at the expense of cargo space. Make it plug n play.
GPS map updates over the air- connect a smartphone and download the update.
A true EV only button- I'm smarter than my pip, if I'm going 2 miles but depressed accelerator to far accidentally then ICE is on for the whole trip. Minor but BS.
How about an onboard inclinometer?
If I'm in EV, and climbing a steep hill I'm sure the vehicle computer IS smarter than me when it comes to using all EV vs hybrid mode, especially if the decision was tied to the GPS destination. (If waypoint is at the top of the hill, maybe a forced EV only would be better than EV assist)
Delete the rear wiper- really is useless.
All wheel drive ( I heard it may be coming)
Stronger electric motor. Easier to stay in EV mode.

Don't get me wrong, I love my pip, but it isn't the optimal vehicle for my needs. Or I don't think it's many peoples ideal vehicle. EV range too limited. I can't figure out how or why Toyota let a start-up car Company (Tesla) come onto the market w a 360+HP car that goes 200+ miles range. O-60 in 5 sec. And keeps trying to sell PIP's w at best 12EV range....oh ya they r sinking billions into fuel cell technology that has no infrastructure to sell in any quantity.