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Considering a Prius Plugin

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by farmecologist, Jul 19, 2024 at 12:05 PM.

  1. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2015
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    Location:
    Southern MN
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    II
    Now that prices seem to be coming down somewhat, I'm considering purchasing a 2014 prius plugin for our son. It will primarily be used as a "regular" Prius ( i.e. - likely very little plugging in, etc... ).

    My main question for other current owners is...how is your HV battery holding up? Has anyone needed their HV battery replaced? Anything else to look out for? I'm assuming battery replacement cost on these is far more than the standard Prius, due to the larger battery, and is the only thing holding me back from purchasing one.

    Thanks!
     
    #1 farmecologist, Jul 19, 2024 at 12:05 PM
    Last edited: Jul 19, 2024 at 2:22 PM
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    these batteries are amazingly robust. a good test drive wood include a full charge and see if you can make around 10 miles before the engine comes on. make sure all hvac is off.

    we have seen very few failures, and i don't recall any out of warranty.
    someone recently posted that they retired their pip at 425,000 miles because of everything but the battery.
    lots are at several hundred thousand miles.
    of course, you still have to deal with the gen 3 egr/head gasket problem, and the brake actuator.

    but i must ask, why buy a pip if you're not plugging in? you lose the spare tyre and storage space under the hatch floor.
     
    #2 bisco, Jul 19, 2024 at 1:27 PM
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  3. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

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    Location:
    Southern MN
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    II

    Good, this is the answer I was hoping for! (y)

    BTW - I'm considering buying from Tampa Hybrids. I have already been in touch with @jerrymildred with some questions, because I know he had a stint working there, and is from the Tampa area and knows them well.

    It looks like most Gen3's ( including their plugins ) at Tampa Hybrids have already had a preemitive head gasket replacement, EGR service, etc...

    And as far as the "why not plugging it in" question, this vehicle will be used by our son at grad school ( Dartmouth ) in New Hampshire, and they won't have a garage. There may very well be places he could plug in though ( on campus, etc.. ), so who knows.
     
    #3 farmecologist, Jul 19, 2024 at 2:20 PM
    bisco likes this.
  4. angelahortega

    angelahortega Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Ukiah
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    ----USA----
    I own a 2012 plug-in Prius and I bought it brand new. I have had No issues with this car and I’ve taken it to the dealer for every maintenance. When I first got it after plugging in the EV charge would be around 11 miles now it’s around 10. They told me that the battery was guaranteed up to 10 years or 100,000 miles. I have 180,000 miles and still going with no issues. It’s been a really great car.
     
    #4 angelahortega, Jul 19, 2024 at 4:50 PM
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I don’t think you’ll go wrong with Tampa hybrids
     
    #5 bisco, Jul 19, 2024 at 5:02 PM
    farmecologist likes this.
  6. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 19, 2013
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    Location:
    NY
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    suggest having your son take a look at plugshare.com search Dartmouth College.
    It's a bit more complicated now with all the different charger company networks, but once your son find a few chargers near to where he spends many hours in his day, Plugging in isn't all that difficult. Some chargers are still free to use, even at this late a date.
    The initial steps of getting a free network access card are typically the biggest hurtle for most people.
    It's nice to have two network cards from the companies that have the most EV charges in the areas an owner frequents often but one chargepoint access card has served me well since my PiP in 2014. Although the city has recently installed another networks chargers and if I couldn't charge at home I sure would have gotten one of those network cards too.
    The PiP takes two hours to charge from empty on these level 2 chargers linked below and uses around 3 kWh from the charger, if I remember right.
    chargepoint network charger on campus with charger fees listed

    Dana parking
    PlugShare - Find Electric Vehicle Charging Locations Near You

    ESCS parking
    PlugShare - Find Electric Vehicle Charging Locations Near You

    Hanover parking
    PlugShare - Find Electric Vehicle Charging Locations Near You

    Thompson parking
    PlugShare - Find Electric Vehicle Charging Locations Near You

    your son might get hooked on driving electric only like many of us still posting here have.

    ps: zoomed out on the map and see a cluster of 5 more locations at the medical center on campus.
    here's one of them
    Hitchcock med
    PlugShare - Find Electric Vehicle Charging Locations Near You

    I hope these links work for you
     
    #6 vvillovv, Jul 20, 2024 at 12:46 PM
    Last edited: Jul 20, 2024 at 12:53 PM
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