The traction battery for the prime is not under the rear seat, which is where it is for the regular priuses. Looks that there are some type of electronics under there for primes but also some unused space. But is that electronic "stuff" put elsewhere on a regular prius? I'm wondering because it sure seems Toyota missed an opportunity to provide a pretty good storage space under the rear seat. (I won't even mention the seeming wasted cavity under the prime's battery. Except for having just done so.)
Under the left side of the rear seat is where scissors jack is stored. I believe for the Japanese model with 100V outlet, the other side is used for an inverter for that function, but I don't know what under the left side in US models.
the solar roof option in japan has stuff under there. toyota is japan centric, and isn't going to bother making a useful space for exports
I think that the biggest object under the Prime's rear seat would probably be the charger. The regular Prius doesn't have a charger, so no worries about there it would be.
Well, for the $3500 NY carb-state cash-back and the $4502 Fed tax rebate and burning a teaspoon of gas a mile equivalent, I suppose I should stop whining. Except it's so much fun! Hmmm. What to be mildly annoyed about next?
Yeah there’s a converter and small NiMH battery under the seat for those PHV models with the solar roof. Otherwise, there are additional vents under the seat that aren’t on the regular Prius so I assume there are ducts under the seats.
Here the pictures I took while fitting the Clazzio covers. There's not much below the couch except the charger.
Thanks for posting those. "Caution: Hot Surface" indicates the likely the reason for that space there and under the battery as well. If not liquid cooled, air space and fans help get the heat off.
I still prefer the centre console with the solar roof. The placement of the 12V charger and the little pocket to place your charging item is much more convenient. I don't know why that wasn't made standard. I suppose the non-solar roof cars have the front centre console that curves into the console to provide more rear footroom? (but then no one is sitting in the middle since it's a 4-seater anyway)
That's because you haven't seen how small is the central compartment under which the solar roof buffer battery is concealed
Hmm, I thought that buffer battery was under the rear seat, not the centre console. Yeah that is small. It's basically a tray. (similar to the Prius+ with 7-seats). Ok fine.
