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Plug-In battery life?

Discussion in 'Prime Technical Discussion' started by Max Wu, Apr 26, 2019.

  1. Max Wu

    Max Wu New Member

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    As soon as my 2017 Prime reached 50K miles, the battery dropped 20%, is that normal? or Toyota is responsible to fix that?
     
  2. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

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    No. Page 16 of the warranty and maintenance manual (at least on the 2018 manual):

    Lithium-ion battery capacity (the ability to hold a charge) gradually reduces with time and use. This is a natural characteristic of lithium-ion batteries. The extent at which capacity is reduced changes drastically depending on the environment (ambient temperature, etc.) and usage conditions such as how the vehicle is driven and how the lithium-ion battery is charged. Reduction of lithium-ion battery capacity is NOT covered under warranty. In order to lessen the possibility of capacity reduction, follow the directions listed in the Owner’s Manual under “Capacity Reduction of the Hybrid Battery (Traction Battery).”

    From the owner's manual:

    ■Capacity reduction of the hybrid battery (traction battery)

    The capacity of the hybrid battery (traction battery) will decline gradually when the hybrid battery (traction battery) is in use. The rate at which it declines will differ in accordance with environmental conditions and the way in which the vehicle is used. Observing the following can help suppress battery capacity decline.

    ●Avoid parking the vehicle in areas with a high temperature under direct sunlight when the hybrid battery (traction battery) is fully charged.

    ●Avoid accelerating and decelerating frequently and suddenly when EV driving.

    ●Avoid frequent driving near the top speed for EV driving. (P. 87)

    ●Leave a low level of charge in the hybrid battery (traction battery) when leaving the vehicle undriven for a long period of time. After confirming that EV mode has switched to HV mode, turn the power switch off.

    ●Use the charging timer function as much as possible in order to fully charge the hybrid battery (traction battery) immediately before starting off. (P. 147)

    Also, if the hybrid battery (traction battery) capacity reduces, the distance that can be driven in EV mode decreases. However, vehicle performance does not significantly become worse.
     
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  3. Blue-Adept

    Blue-Adept Active Member

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    But if the battery completley fails in the warranty period they will replace it. 8 years in most states.

    Blue
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    failure meaning it throws the bad battery trouble code.
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!
    20% is fairly common, although it varies. it should stabilize there for a long time.

    how are you measuring it?
     
  6. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    What do you mean by "the battery dropped 20%"?
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it is now only 2.4" high in the back deck ;)
     
  8. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    :ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO::ROFLMAO:
     
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  9. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    From other people responding to OP. I gather OP means the traction battery capacity has decreased by 20% from the original state. But, I still wonder how did he measure the decreased amount? And it happened all the sudden at 50K?
     
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  10. a_gray_prius

    a_gray_prius Rare Non-Old-Blowhard Priuschat Member

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    A lot of Li-Ion EVs seem to see a ~20% initial decrease in capacity followed by a long, long slow dropoff.
     
  11. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    I certainly didn't experience that with my Prius PHV, even at 92,000 miles when I traded it for my Prius Prime.

    It's the first post from a new member, who will get lots of helpful feedback, if some detail is provided. Otherwise, just ignore this thread. We simply don't have enough information to be constructive.

    We need to know more about speed, temperature, distance, recharge frequency, etc.
     
    #11 john1701a, Apr 27, 2019
    Last edited: Apr 27, 2019
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  12. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Yup. Need more input. Insufficient data/
     
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    20% drop in EV range??
     
  14. Blue-Adept

    Blue-Adept Active Member

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    Yes Not Enough Data.
    1. Temperature ,New tires or snow tires killed my mpg until weather improved.
    2. One of my Prii had a stuck caliper that killed my mileage.
    3. Reset computer on 2007 improved mpg
    Many other things
     
  15. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    If OP means a 20% drop in EV range, then I experienced more than 50% EV range drop in my first winter at only 5,000kmiles/5months. AFAIK, there is no dash display or any other easy way to measure capacity loss. Or is there?
     
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  16. Blue-Adept

    Blue-Adept Active Member

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    Yes. There is. Run the battery until it goes to HV mode. Then charge using a Kill O Watt meter. Or goto a Charge Point station and charge. If there is a drop in KWh s added then you can tell.

    Or use JuiceBox or ChargePoint at home.

    Don't Know where the OP lives . But if they are in my Area i can show them free ChargePoint stations or I can charge the Prime off my JuiceBox and look at power input.
     
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  17. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    If at wall kWh reading used to fully charge the traction battery from zero EV range to full is the accurate indication of the true "capacity" of the traction battery, then I am not seeing any reduction of Lithium-ion battery capacity on my car in last 21 months or 25kmiles. My PRIME always takes 6.4-6.8 kWh per charge using L1 EVSE reading at a wall with Kill-a-watt meter. Will have to see what happens when it hits 50kmiles, but that will be 2 years from now.
     
    #17 Salamander_King, Apr 27, 2019
    Last edited: Apr 27, 2019
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  18. Blue-Adept

    Blue-Adept Active Member

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    I will be at 50,000 miles next April on my 18 Prime.
     
  19. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    The highest my Juicebox has on record is 6.23 with most charges being under 6. Is L1 really that less efficient?
     
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    maybe L2 cuts off before the battery is completely full