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Would Prius C MPG avg have been better with Lithium Battery?

Discussion in 'Prius c Fuel Economy' started by koipond, Jan 21, 2013.

  1. koipond

    koipond Member

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    Hi all,

    not looking for a controversy or an uber-technical debate, but just curious if generally speaking, the Prius C would have achieved better MPG with Lithium Ion (versus the Nickel it currently has) recapture batteries?

    Would it have meant better recapture during braking? Like being able to absorb a greater recharge with more aggressive braking versus the very-gradual recapture of the Nickel batteries? Would it have meant a more powerful electric draw allowing more powerful electric power when needed during acceleration? The ability to charge more fully and thereby storing more energy to be used for EV driving?

    Basically, instead of @50 MPG, would the Prius C have been able to get @55 or @60 MPG? (all things being equal, giving 5-10 MPG better performance)?

    Basically I'm wondering if the decision to keep the nickel battery was one motivated by cost to keep the purchase price of the Prius C more obtainable, and I'm wondering what MPG and/or performance advantages might have been given up in the process.

    Thanks!
     
    #1 koipond, Jan 21, 2013
  2. TrafficMPG

    TrafficMPG Junior Member

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    See Boeing Dreamliner.....

    But seriously, the NiMH batteries are the best in terms of reliability. Especially with the narrow charge/discharge range in which the Toyota Synergy system uses them. A Lithium battery would weigh less and maybe get you better mpgs but there are trade offs.
    Lithium has issues with rapid charge and discharge in terms of blowing up when overheated. It is much better suited for plug-in applications. It also doesn't last as long as Nickel, but then again who drives their car more than 100,000 miles :whistle: .
    All in all, Lithium Ion or some other chemical battery will replace the NiMH when the system is more stable and yes more importantly less expensive. For now, we will see them in the more expensive cars. Until then, NiMH is the best way.
     
    #2 TrafficMPG, Jan 23, 2013
    marcuscy likes this.
  3. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    The pip has a lithium ion battery. Does it get better mpg if driven in only HV mode? Perhaps slight but ever so slight, even according to the EPA it is only 1mpg better on the HWY than a liftback. So the added expense of LiIon wouldn't matter in terms of mpg in the 'value priced' Prius c.
     
    #3 Paradox, Jan 23, 2013
  4. koipond

    koipond Member

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    Good points. thanks guys.
     
    #4 koipond, Jan 23, 2013
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