Question-2025 Prius in EV Mode: Reply quickly!

I am not adding extra stops on the way home. I have always made it home with greater than 10% of my battery remaining (charging only at home, mostly dependent on how fast I drive my 20.6 miles to work and back). I was commenting on sampling the solar charger power at various times in the day (getting in my car, not going anywhere, several times a day just to see how much solar energy it is receiving). What I’ve learned is that it really needs to be direct sunlight to get 185W. Thus, I don’t think I could ever get 6 hours of 185W to make like 5 miles (or wherever some people have claimed ).

I’m still quite happy getting what I get (3 miles). I think my favorite part is that when I’m driving in sunlight it’s directly helping me use less electricity for the air conditioning to get a longer range.

I can’t do solar panels at home. I live in a town home and that is against the rules (at least I think it is). When it gets colder and the battery is less efficient I’m sure I will start plugging in at work too (I wish we had electric car charging spots but we don’t. We just a few outlets I’ve been given permission to use). Right now I don’t need to and it is awesome that the solar panel provides a little bit of padding.

Tonight my family is going to a restaurant that 14 miles from my house and requires me to drive on the interstate. It’s so awesome because my 2012 wouldn’t be able to even get me all the way in one direction on electricity (nor could I drive 65mph without turning on the gas engine). With my 2025 version I can get all the way there and back even with a bit of time on the interstate. This is great fun! I’m almost glad I hit a deer and totaled my 2012 PHEV!