Hello, I currently don't have a Prius but I am looking to buy a Prius v. One feature I liked was the air-conditioning using the battery. But what about the heater? Do you need the petrol engine on to have the heater on? Thanks, Disgruntled_Walrus
Yes, on any Prius not just the v, the ICE or gas engine provides heat. Once properly warmed up, it can cycle on and off but the heat is not electrically made.
However there are at least three factors: 1) The gas engine has to come to temperature anyway so that it is ready to run efficiently 2) The water pump is electric so your heater can be circulating even when the engine if off and 3) in Eco mode the car will cycle the heat or air to optimize mpg while keeping the cabin conditioned Bottom line, don't worry about it.
During defrost, there are ceramic PTC electric heaters as well, they are small (under 400 watts in Gen 2) and only trying to keep the glass clear, not heat the entire car.
It's due to the EPA regulations hat the ICE needs to heat up the polution control system quickly to meet reduced emission standards.
