The one and only Prius Plug-in FAQ!

yes, we're up to 8 years now and a couple hundred thousand miles experience here at priuschat. lifetime? unlikely

 

Sure it will last a lifetime. Just unsure of whose life.
So far 8 years and 3 months for my PIP's battery -- actually batteries. 12v is still original too.

Mike

 

Yea . . . but the thing is . . . . when the capacity begins to diminish - your ICE kicks in - so many won't even notice. After all gas is inexpensive & many don't pay attention to lost capacity on an OCD level. So the question may better be framed .... how MUCH capacity will be lost - in how much time .... and in different climates. After all cooler - more temperate climates are much easier on a traction pack, than hot places are. Problem is - MOST buyers are in areas that get LOTS of summer heat - & the Prius is air cooled.
.

 

you will notice with a plug in, as range diminishes

 

wow! i replaced my 12v a year ago, but i attribute it to sitting for two months every winter while i was in florida

 

I have also 2012 plug-in last month I serviced it & checked the HV battery status service dealer says that I’m still having a 99.9%. Of a battery. I don’t how is going to end up the battery life.

 

that's excelent! i didn't even know dealers could do that

 

must admit - my snifOmeter did go off when I read that. Especially after all of the other Oddball things that the service centers have told me.

.

 

1/10th of one percent per 8 years, that battery will outlive all of us put together

 

Hope long life for our Li ion batteries

 

I think YES!

question: are HV and EV batteries located together? or separately ? hv near the seat, EV in cargo

 

Is it possible to replace regular prius hv batteries with Plug-in's batteries?

 

There is only 1 battery. It is divided by capacity.

13% to 84% is reserved for EV.
8% to 12% is reserved for HV.

Above 84% and below 8% is reserved for longevity.

 

Thank you Sir!

 

no,

there used to be some kit, but since the plug in is so cheap, they all went out of business

 

Would love to hear how it’s doing now in 2025? I am thinking about buying a 2014 plug in ( currently driving a gen 2 2006 with 208,000 miles. BUT i can’t plug in every day, will be a way from home for weeks. Can I drive this car as a regular hybrid and if so does it cause the battery extra wear and tear ?

 

Still waiting for that cheap Factor to happen to other manufacturers traction packs

.

 

yes, you can drive it like a hybrid no problem. your biggest worry is the head gasket, followed by the brake actuator.
i traded mine for a bolt 2 years ago because the engine was running rough, and i think the egr may have been clogged at 87,000 miles.
do your diligence before moving ahead, all the best!

 

what cheap factor is that?

 

Cheap as in compared to the Prius traction pack