This Year in PriusChat - 2009

This decade saw the closing of one mileage database, GreenHybrid, and emergence of replacement, MyHybridCar. Furthermore, the EPA site, Fueleconomy, has seen steady improvement although it still limits sharing of per tank data.

The NHW11 (2001-03 Prius) is reaching 10 years of USA service and inspite of the hybrid skeptics, continues to rack up miles. It was followed by two revisions (actually 2+ counting the middle NHW20 upgrades.) NHW11 prices have stabilized at about $5k and major repairs, battery, transaxle or steering, are running about half that price. Accidents appear to be the greatest risk yet the Prius fatality rate per 100 million miles remains half of the USA fleet average.

Although "Bell the Hybrid" has two bills pending and a long list of co-sponsors, advocacy articles continue to trigger long lists of skepticism from non-hybrid owners. The growing accident data continues to show the greatest pedestrian risks, fatalities, come from pickups and SUVs. Those who would 'invent' a risk are faced with a growing reality that there is none.

The 2010 Prius has been the top selling model in Japan since May and appears to be joining the top 10 selling models in the USA. The Toyota hybrids are joined by an improved Ford hybrid and Honda continues its efforts. The 2010 Prius now has the power and efficiency to exceed the highway performance of all but the smaller, non-hybrids.

The plug-in efforts easily dwarf the fuel cell "buzz" with more than an order of magnitude, plug-in wheels on roads, and more coming. Growing experience from NHW20, plug-in pioneers is rapidly letting us know where it works best. Without the "buzz," serious fuel cell development can proceed with fundimental research.

Hybrid skeptics are reduced to re-hashing debunked claims, which turns out to be a practical IQ test. Other competitors to the Prius don't survive 2010 "wheels on road" testing and even Top Gear can not find a better urban vehicle. But technology continues to improve and I look forward to what the next decade will bring.

Bob Wilson

 

maybe its time to by a 2010 to keep up your posting record on PC ;=)

2009 was the year of the gen 3(4) 2010 prius.
and 2010 will maybe be the year of the auris hybrid ( maybe not yet for the us market - 2011? )

2009 for me was a turbulent year wit some up ( release 2010 ) but a lot of downs..
not sure what 2010 will bring but if i stay in good health then it can only get better.

any way wish you all a healthy 2010.

 

E, we're in the same boat. we think it's less to contribute for the new generation, not so much the waning interest.

 

. . . . or, could it be that SOME of us are simply forward looking to the soon-to-be vehicles that can run with NO gas. If they hit the sceen on time, PC will hopefully have a huge new forum.

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