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Tiny Battery, Big MPG Difference

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by mr88cet, May 24, 2017.

  1. mr88cet

    mr88cet Senior Member

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    It's pretty amazing how much difference in MPG even the P.Prime's nominal-25-mile battery can make in mileage: ~52ish on our 2009 to almost indefinitely-high on our P.Prime (driving within the Austin vicinity).

    Then again, that's pretty much what hybrids have been all about all along: In the most extreme case in the opposite end of the scale, you have stop-start so-called "hybrids": Their super-tiny battery is just big enough to shut off the engine when it has, in essence, infinite MPG *in*efficiency: When idling - burning gas for absolutely no forward movement.

    Traditional hybrids raise the speed threshold higher, to encompass more low-efficiency times, such as driving 30MPH through suburbs.

    With a P.Prime, and perhaps-better-than-average recharging infrastructure, you can get that up to using almost no gas at all except on medium-to-long road tips.

    Then the next step up, with a Tesla-sized battery and Tesla-style charging infrastructure, you can go almost anywhere without gas.

    But still, pretty amazing how much gas you can avoid with a mere 8.8KWh battery!


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  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Keep in mind: the plug-in electricity doesn't fall from the sky.

    Much more than me with my block heater. :oops:
     
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  3. priuscatprimeguy

    priuscatprimeguy Senior Member

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    it does here in Michigan :p both Schoolcraft College and Washtinaw Community College are falling from the sky (free):eek:
     
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  4. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Actually, yes it can! :)

    My gen2 gets 45-ish (reported) yet my Energi has 86.x lifetime (and climbing) which does calculate kwh's used. Great to see new owners seeing the light.
     
  5. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    You've never heard of hydroelectric power?
    Perhaps you have heard of Niagara Falls that provides electricity through power plants there?
    It may not be from the sky, but it is definitely from the fall of gravity.

    Hydro Power - Niagara Falls Hydroelectric Power Plant, Ontario, Canada
     
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Flagged a couple of things here (Google Maps view of Powell River): the pipes headed for the turbines, and me (childhood) house. :)

    upload_2017-5-24_9-30-27.png
     
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  7. Jnbrown

    Jnbrown Member

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    Solar Panels?
     
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  8. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    I'm getting a good bit of my electricity at work, which is 100% wind and solar.

    Actually, we generate much more than we use.
     
  9. mr88cet

    mr88cet Senior Member

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    Completely true! Here in Austin, however, it's considerably cheaper than gas.


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    #9 mr88cet, May 24, 2017
    Last edited: May 24, 2017
  10. mr88cet

    mr88cet Senior Member

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    Yip, solar panels next!


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  11. mr88cet

    mr88cet Senior Member

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    In our case, charging at home, it works out to around 80% of the per-mile cost of gas (less in the winter than in the summer, but average around 80%). Actually, the electricity itself is less than half of that 80%, but after all the fees and such...

    Charging around town is much cheaper though: Austin has a program for $50/year to charge at any of the ChargePoint stations in the Austin-Energy service area. If I were to use that service only for driving home from work it would be like buying gas for ~$0.45/gallon! :)


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    #11 mr88cet, May 24, 2017
    Last edited: May 24, 2017
  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Cost aside, you guys are using a lot less hydrocarbons. Guess I came across as sniping.

    And the plug-ins, as long as they have decent range, really dispel the range anxiety inherent with a pure-electric.

    Not exactly new points, lol.
     
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  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    my 5 year lifetime is around 240 mpg, but please don't ask me to post my electric bill.
     
  14. priuscatprimeguy

    priuscatprimeguy Senior Member

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    ok, spill it @bisco:p let's see your electric bill:coffee:
     
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i can't, you would be shocked.:cool:

    but i will say this, 30k ev driving at 24 cents/kwh ain't cheap.:mad:
     
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  16. priuscatprimeguy

    priuscatprimeguy Senior Member

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    zzzzzttttt!!!!!!:eek:
     
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  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    exactly.
     
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  18. priuscatprimeguy

    priuscatprimeguy Senior Member

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    well, I have been paying $15.00 a month for five years so $15.00 x 60 = $900.00 buckaroos :eek:
     
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  19. ePWR

    ePWR Member

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    I like gas. :) (I'm full of it).
     
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  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i have 18,000 hv miles at around 60 mpg and an average 3 bucks a gallon. = $900.:D