This is the reason that someone should choose higher octane fuel. 'Pinging' is exactly what higher octane is designed to fix. If your Prius isn't pinging (and mine never has), stick to regular. As to Ethanol, It certainly does decrease Miles per Gallon, there is no evidence I have seen that indicates that it reduces Miles per BTU (3.3% is what we should see). And most cases, it increase Miles per Dollar (if you don't count taxes that you have to pay anyways).