Or am I understanding this incorrectly. I currently live in an apartment (strike 1) but I work 3 miles from home and they have readily available charging stations that are currently FREE to use (one Leaf and one Volt currently use them). So what I'm understanding is that I should be able to run on pure electric for my short 3 mile commute. Then charge and drive home on electric. On days when I want to go on a longer trip and can't charge (since I have an apartment) the car would function like a current model prius. I'm thinking they will start charging for the charging at work soon but even if they do it sounds like it would be perfect for me. What do you all think? Would you jump at this car in my situation?
If the car is in your budget, it sounds perfect for your situation. There are threads here that say that the PHEV should at least match the regular Prius in efficiency when driven in hybrid mode. So you would have the best of both worlds, and it would be your option on which energy source to use. You should hardly ever have to use the gasoline engine. Although for maintenance purposes, you may want to burn gas every once in a while. I'm sure the PHEV will have guidelines once it comes out.
sounds good, but don't forget, the engine will warm up every time you take it out, using some gas. how much? no idea.
The engine won't fire up until the EV gets close to used up or you accelerate really hard. I drove the PHV totally electric-only to the drive-thru and back for a morning breakfast run in the burbs. .
Unless you're the little old lady from .......... which wouldn't be you, Man. And since SoCal is such a nice climate and all. why do you need a car right now if you are only three miles from work? I'd gladly give up my 4 wheeler for a bicycle if I had your advantages.
thanks john. is that definative on the production model? i thought i read it had to warm up for emissions and to be ready when needed?
Expecting tweaks from what they find during the data collecting now is realistic. Currently, when there's about 1.5 miles left the engine starts. Then you go from EV to MPG boost. .
Yes, Prius PHV would be the best choice for you if you only want a single car. iQ EV may complement your current ride.
Haha I tried the bike thing for almost a year. Getting hit by a car (luckily only suffered bruises and cuts) will sure make you question your method of transportation in a hurry. I could walk but 3 miles is borderline too far and I have to go through some crazy busy intersections that I don't feel safe walking through. So needless to say I will be taking a car to work. I read on the main page this car might not come out until first half 2012. Is this what you guys are hearing? A local dealer said he thinks we will definitely see them this year and would hold one for a deposit.
Also worth noting is that, although the engine won't start up until the battery is nearing empty, it will also periodically run to keep things in good working order. The manual posted here from the test PHV fleet currently in circulation says this will happen after 19 miles of driving in EV-only. So there's no reason to worry about your gas turning foul anything else like that due to engine disuse.
I'm also in the perfect situation, my work has a recharge station and I live less than 5 miles from my apt where I could plug in a regular wall outlet in our garage. Am 6 months into my 2010 Prius IV lease and will definitely trade it in for a plug in!
thanks john. so, if i make to work and home without the engine coming on, and i plug in every night, i will be able to drive as a pure ev except when taking longer trips?
That's a long way to live from your apartment. I prefer living inside mine. Makes the commute to the commode much more tolerable. I believe that's accumulated 19 miles. And in that case, I assume it would behave like any other Prius - when you turn the car off, it turns the engine off. No idea on the specifics though, as I've never driven one.
