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With coal-powered EVs being shoved down everyones throat despite the lack of back-end production for raw material existing and an administration that sh*ts on the very producers of those raw materials, as well as an overall lack of charging infrastructure...

Just give me a plug-in hybrid. That's affordable.

I don't need a backup camera. I don't need a giant screen. The Japanese domestic market can somehow produce barebone vehicles like this for the current model year in Japan but Americans apparently need bells and whistles?

I don't want it to look stupid; something that took about five generations of Prius for Toyota to ALMOST figure out (the taillights are atrocious on the new Prius, Toyota needs to fix that and drop the "Prius" brand due to its connotation with overall lameness). EVs and plug in hybrid designers and their out of touch handlers just CANT HELP THEMSELVES and add weird and goofy little plastic trim pieces, strange dimensions (Wth is the Chevy Bolt?) and overall...

President Biden announced that he would like to replace the government fleet of over 600,000 vehicles with EV's.

The Post Office has over 200,000 vehicles that travel 1.3 billion miles per year. Of those, 140,000 are the LLV (long life vehicle) that you see on the street every day. They were designed with a service life of 24 years. The oldest LLV's have been operating for 32 years with the newest being just 24 years. In 2009, the cash strapped Post Office extended the LLV service life to 30 years.

These LLV's are powered by a 2.5L GM "Iron Duke" engine, automatic transmission, two wheel drive and no air conditioning. They get 16 mpg city, 18 mpg highway and 17 mpg average. On the typical delivery route with 400 stops they average about 10 mpg.

The shortest delivery route is Parker Colorado, 2.3 miles with 837 boxes. The longest is Sidney Montana, 190 miles with 272 boxes. The lowest is Death Valley at 282 feet below sea level and the highest is Alma Colorado at 10,578 feet....

These States Have Suspended State Gas Tax – Forbes Advisor

Can't wait to see the size of potholes and their impact on ever larger rims with skinny tires. Plus? Since most people are driving pickups, SUVs, & other tall wind resistant vehicles - will RVs and the like really get that much of a benefit? Maybe the extra cash saved can be used for tire flat repairs? It's likely to help independent interstate truckers though.
.

I want one!!!

• "hybrid reborn" concept: Gen 5 designed from scratch for a new era of PHEVs
• 2.0 L engine
• 220 hp (223 PS) combined power
• 0–62 mph in 6.7 s
• 13.6 kWh battery
• improved battery power (that will hopefully let the defogger operate without ICE unlike in Gen 4)
• battery mounted under rear seats
• 40 mi EV range
• wider
• longer wheelbase
• 19 in wheels with wider tires
  
• Gen 2 TNGA platform
• lowered center of gravity
• more aerodynamic for more steering stability and less wind noise
• improved handling
• island architecture for cockpit design

HYBRID REBORN　NEW PRIUS | トヨタ自動車WEBサイト

Hopefully I can trade in my 2021 Prius Prime Limited for a 2023 Prius Prime LTD, assuming my car payments would go down....

I've come into possession of (2) Saturn Vue 36v Hybrid batteries (2007 and 2009) that were included in a pallet of HV batteries I recently purchased.

Been searching online trying to find the capacity of these batteries, with no luck. Anyone have any information?

Each battery has (3) 12 volt cartridges that would be similar to 2 prius modules mounted in a metal case. Except each of these modules are 6 volts, about twice the thickness of a Prius module, and cannot be separated from each other due to the metal cartridge being spot welded. Discharging to 9.4 volts and end of charge (11,000 mah) is around 14.5 volts.

I've been discharging/charging at increasing levels all week. Being conservative since I don't know their specs. but using a 1.5 amp discharge limit (actually about 0.7amps due to 10w limit) and a 2 amp charge limit. Started at 6000 mah maximum and now I'm at 11,000. It looks like the modules aren't even blinking at 11k charge. The last one I checked had a 10696...

First off, I'm not tempted as my Std Rng Plus Model 3 has some unique capabilities. Regardless, it is a hoot to see VW offering three years of free charging:


Since VW owns Electrify America, having both the charging network and EV manufacturing is the way to go. IMHO, the problems with Electrify America is they had no unified population of EVs that needed reliable charging. The ID.4 may provide the standard to solve the cacophony of CCS-1 style, fast DC charging.

Frankly, any CCS-1 style, EV maker should contract with Electrify America for 3 years of free charging. This will deflate the central California, hydrogen experiment.

Bob Wilson

Looks like the previews for the Escape PHEV are starting to come out.

All-New 2020 Ford Escape PHEV-37 Preview | CleanMPG
"2020 Ford Escape PHEV-37 FWD ($33,040/$35,620/$38,835 + $1,245 D&H + $195 Mini-Spare - $1,500 Rebate for SE/SEL/Titanium) while buyers are eligible for a Federal tax credit of $6,843.

As consumers begin returning to work and taking trips, demand for gasoline is expected to spike from the decades-low prices of the past few months.

The all-new 2020 Ford Escape PHEV has now been certified with a best-in-class EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 43/38/41 mpg city/highway/combined and100 MPGe combined plus an EPA-estimated 37 miles of all-electric driving range from the onboard, liquid cooled 14.4 kWh Li-Ion traction battery.

The Escape HEV and PHEV are part of Ford’s investment of more than $11.5 billion in electrified vehicles. The Escape HEV/PHEV features Ford’s innovative...

“… , which is why we are asking you to slow down your proposed regulations mandating battery electric vehicle (BEV) production and distribution.”

It looks like all my Toyota dealers are in the list that sent the letter.

Letter to the President on BEVs—Voice of the Customer

List of US car dealers demanding BEV-production slowdown by letter to Biden

Those of us who follow Toyota, the maker of Prius, are wondering if they might have a different point of view after President Biden's speech.

Source: Biden, in a Push to Phase Out Gas Cars, Tightens Pollution Rules - The New York Times


Toyota discontinued the Avalon made in Georgetown KY. What will they build there next?

Bob Wilson

Part of Ward's Automotive, these folks in the past tried to push "clean diesels" over hybrids and plug-ins. But VW shut that down. Now these hybrid skeptics seem to have 'gotten religion' which is why this podcast / video is important:



Sorry, no transcript. It starts out slow but as they talk, you can see the cogs in their minds turning to a new paradyne. For example, the 'no car days' because of NOx finally made them realize there is a harm to not only diesel but conventional cars too. Towards the end, they also realized the importance of the Pacifica, the first North American, hybrid miniVan.

Bob Wilson

This article from Tom's Guide pretty much echoes my reasons for waiting to get a BEV. I'd like one, but the system isn't ready for what I would need when I make treks way off the beaten path. Hence the PHEV gives me the best of both worlds.

Source: New Bill Seeks $5,000 Fine for Rolling Coal » AutoGuide.com News


Works for me,
Bob Wilson

I’m helping a government team considering incentives for hybrids and EVs. A common concern is that the hybrid batteries will need to be replaced within the vehicle lifetime at high cost. But is this really an issue? I see that Toyota offers a 10-year 150,000 mile warranty on the hybrid battery. And I have seen many Priuses used as taxis in Europe with many more miles on the clock and still using the original battery.

So I would like to find out who had to replace the hybrid battery on their Prius? (Not due to damage, just due to wear). Please reply via the attached poll?

Thanks in advance!

Just posted on BBC news app:-

I saw this on the BBC and thought you should see it:

Volkswagen emissions: UK and six other nations face legal action - Volkswagen emissions: UK and six other nations face legal action - BBC News

Source: Nissan Leaf electric vs Toyota Prius hybrid: which is lower on cost, emissions?

As I silently drive away . . .

Bob Wilson

Toyota Prius c to be discontinued; 2020 Corolla Hybrid will take its place | Autoblog

Toyota Prius c | Prius c Discontinued

2022 Toyota electric car to use solid-state batteries: updated report

Older article and not sure if repost (if so, just ignore this)..

I was thinking about the next gen Prius recently as it seems the Prius redesign interval is every 6 years and punched in 2022 Prius on Google and this was first thing that popped up.. very excited to see what they’ll have by then as I should be shopping for a new car by then.

Can’t wait..

Source: CR Rates Active Driving Assistance Systems - Consumer Reports

Recent 5 min read. This Green Car Reports article summarizes recent discussions with Cooper Ericksen, Toyota Motor North America VP for product planning and strategy. From article - “Our research indicates the average customer commutes in that 20-to-30-miles-per-day range,” Ericksen explained. “The key to a plug-in is to have the right range to do your daily tasks on EV only, plugging in, in your garage—and then you have the hybrid portion for long trips, so it's one car that in today's world can really do the job of multiple cars.”
Future Toyota Prime plug-in hybrids: How much range and performance?

Hello,

I am new hybrid owner, to be specific a new Toyota Corolla Hybrid, 2020 manufactured and it has a Nimh battery pack.

I like my new car and I would like to keep the battery in a very good condition as much as possible.

I have the following fears.... If some expert can clarify them:

1. If I Park my car in the sun heat, will it damage the HV battery? (I use AC when driving). Is it ok if I leave the car parked with 50% SOC (as shown on the screen, the real SOC may differ)
The temperature under the sun sometimes is over 100F

2. If I drive it more in the electric mode (not using the EV button) will it damage the battery? On autopilot it even gets up to 60mph full electric

3. Is it ok if i drive it for short distances (2-3 miles)?

4. If I drive it on a mountain road (steep slopes) will it kill the battery sooner? (I use B when going downhills)

5. With what SOC should I live my car parked? Does it depend on the weather also (cold, hot)

Thank you and sorry for the noobie...