Question-2025 Prius in EV Mode: Reply quickly!

I bought it (2025 Prius PHEV) today. I have only driven a little way (all in EV). I can see how the range will never be close to 40 miles in model (it was going down pretty quickly though I had the a/c on).

I do not look at the solar roof as a gimmick. It’s the part of the car I am most curious about. There is lots to explore, though. I’ve never had such a luxurious car.

 

I don’t think it is 860W. I think the specification is actually (‘only’) 185W. So, at maximum capacity for my entire trip home (bought the car in Milwaukee and live in Minneapolis), 6-hours I’ll see the power of 1000W-hrs saved to run the air conditioner. That should translate to about 1/13 of the total battery capacity so close to 3-miles, I think that’s right…. I’ll take it!

 

Today I drove my new 2025 Prius Plug-in Hybrid from Milwaukee to my home in the Minneapolis area. I couldn’t figure out how to not use the battery at the start (saving it for later) so I just let it use battery power until it was gone. I was quite pleased to see that I got close to 40 miles before the gas kicked in (not even driving that slowly). Then when I got home, I was very pleased to see that my gas mileage (without a depleted battery) was 56.0 miles / gallon. I drove between 65mph and 70mph the whole way! I am delighted by these numbers! I was not expecting anything close to that because my high-end model (I can’t remember what it’s called) is supposed to only get 48mpg in HV mode.

It wasn’t that terribly sunny but my car reported that it captured 2.2miles worth of Watt-hrs (supposedly used to power the air conditioner and other auxiliary processes while driving). It was really fun to watch the incoming power go up significantly when the sun peaked out from under the clouds.

I’m looking forward to driving it 22 miles to work on Wednesday (working at home Monday and Tuesday). I wonder if I might have enough battery to go all the way to work and back if I just charge with the solar panel all day. I may not do that, though m, as I don’t want to take the chance of using any gas. I am allowed to charge at work (using the slow 120V charger that it came with) so that is most likely the best routine to ensure a fully EV day of driving.

Dang this car is so much fun for nerds like me!

 

It is more than ‘fun’. I think it is a practical way to reduce one’s carbon footprint. (Also, it is not just the solar roof that makes the car fun!)

If you gain even only 2 miles / day for free (from solar power) you gain over 700 miles / year. That’s saves about two tank full of gas!

Is it cost effective? I think so. Two tanks of gas could easily be $50. That means in 12 years one could get their $600 back (my last plug-in was 13 years old when I hit a deer and totaled it).

But, the financial portion is not the point: I live in a townhome. I am not allowed to put up solar panels on my roof. The Prius’ solar roof is a great opportunity for me to generate sustainable (green) energy from a solar panel. I’m willing to pay a little extra for that.

 

(Duplicate post…please delete)

 

One of the most disappointing things about the solar roof to me is that I cannot get the battery charged through an AC connection and the solar panel at the same time. I can charge at work but I’d like to make better use of the solar roof being parked at work. I’m not quite certain how much electricity it will take to me to work (22 miles away). If I could make it all the way and back with the solar boost, that would be perfect. Although, with declining battery capacity that probably wouldn’t for many years anyway.

I’m curious about the efficiency of the electric motor in your car. Have you paid attention to the miles / kW-hr efficiency values? It is easy to get 4 miles / kW-hr but I’ve also seen 5 miles / kW-hr. I think the air conditioner makes a big difference here.

Glad you like solar roof. I love how you see exactly what you’re currently getting in terms of Wattage.

 

I wonder how long is too long. During the year of the pandemic, I went virtually 9-months betweeen tanks of gas. My guess is that you are going to say that is too long.

 

That’s for sure! I’d be quite pleased if it stayed at 4 miles/kWh.

Earlier today I had a 7 mile trip where I averaged 5 miles/kWh. I don’t have a good feel yet as to how to get the most out of my battery and solar panel.

 

Wow! That is impressive! What kind of driving did you do?