Singing the blues thanks to fluctuating gas prices? It may be time to take the plug plunge and go green.
Since 2000 when first debuting in the U.S., Toyota's gas-electric hybrid Prius has been synonymous with 'green,' or at least 'greener' transportation. The wildly successful first-generation Prius liftback utilized nickel metal hydride battery technology combined with a four-cylinder gasoline engine to stretch city mileage past the 45 mpg plateau.
On the strength of the Prius name, Toyota made a prudent marketing decision to add not only additional body styles, but refined battery technologies to a growing Prius family. Starting in April of 2012, Toyota began offering a plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) variant in select, mostly coastal states. In 2013, the front-wheel drive Prius PHEV has the Chicago area in sight, although as of March 2013, an on-sale date remains elusive.
What's a key difference between this Prius PHEV and the conventional gas-electric Prius Liftback? Prius PHEV is capable of running in pure electric mode for longer durations after an 'electric fill up' via a conventional wall socket.
The Prius PHEV is not a' pure electric vehicle' (EV) as is the Nissan Leaf. While both utilize rechargeable battery packs powered by household electric current, Prius PHEV benefits from an onboard gas-hybrid engine once the battery juice expires. With current pure electric vehicles, a watchful eye must be kept open to monitor available battery range...or you're stuck...literally.
In addition to the Prius Liftback and Prius PHEV, the family tree has grown during the last couple of years to include the five-door Prius V ('V" for versatile thanks to a 56 percent increase in interior volume) and five-door Prius C ("C" for city; the smallest, and lowest-priced member). Only Prius PHEV incorporates wall socket charging contributing to an extended driving range in pure electric mode. All, however, incorporate Toyota's 'hybrid synergy drive' incorporating two high-output electric motors powered by the on-board battery source.
Size wise, Prius PHEV remains in step with the current third-generation Prius Liftback; same length, height and width. Consider both a large compact-sized or small mid-size selection. Two adults fit optimally in the second row, but three can exist together in a pinch thanks to a flat floor design. Interior layouts remain similar, too. Creature comforts such as leather seats or soft-touch dash and doors are not part of the grand bargain, but Priusfiles don't seem to much mind since recycled materials are employed for composite dash materials. The black dash and doors include gray and brushed aluminum highlights.
While visually similar, technological underpinnings vary, especially with battery choices. While the Prius Liftback's battery source has always depended on a self-charging nickel metal hydride pack, the Prius PHEV features a 4.4-kilowatt lithium ion battery pack tucked neatly under the cargo floor region. Lithium ion technology is the same power source used for conventional cellular phones and lap top computers. As with these devices, the Prius PHEV must be recharged often via a wall charger or risk losing its electric-range mojo. The lithium-ion battery teams up with a four-cylinder, 1.8-liter engine capable of 98 horsepower on its own merits. All Prius offerings come mated to a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT) automatically sequencing optimum gear ratios with no manual shifting or foot clutch needed. While the 2012 model year marked the Prius PHEV's maiden voyage, the sophomore, 2013 incarnation is a virtual carryover.
For the first 15 miles or so, a fully-charged Prius PHEV primarily utilizes pure electric power at speeds up to approximately 60 miles per hour before the gas-electric hybrid technology kicks into action. When pure electric range expires, the switchover to the gas-assisted engine is a seamless transition.
The car's plug-in port is located on the passenger's side rear fender. The contoured, lightweight charger head resembles a hand-held hair dryer snoot. Once snapped into the fender port, an adjacent amber icon illuminates and upon charge completion, switches off. The vehicle can't be started when the charging nozzle is secured to the vehicle.
Prius PHEV takes less than three hours to fully recharge from a standard 110-volt wall socket. Charging time's cut in half to 90 minutes or less when utilizing a higher-capacity 240-volt source (washing machine type outlets). Currently, this rates as one of the shortest recharging times of available PHEVs, but pure electric driving range checks in as one of the shortest.
While Toyota estimates up to 15 miles of electric travel from a three-hour charge, our on-board computer started the countdown at 11.4 miles. Several factors contribute to lower electric range times, including colder temperatures or air conditioning usage. During testing, temperatures dipped below 20 degrees. By comparison, the all-electric 2013 Nissan Leaf (starting price $28,800, $6,000 less than the 2012 version) promotes up to 73 miles from a charge, but to fully charge a depleted battery from a 110-volt outlet takes between 15 and 20 hours.
Like the traditional Prius Liftback, Prius PHEV includes regenerative braking, recapturing electrical energy back to the battery and a "pause" mode, saving fuel by quieting the gas engine at prolonged stops.
During an extensive two-day test run through the Chicago suburbs combining highway and stop-and-go travel, the Prius PHEV averaged 59.62 miles per gallon. That included an electrical fill up where the first 11.4 miles were supported by the electric mode. A much shorter test run of less than two miles from Glen Ellyn to Lombard utilizing pure electric mode ended notably. Thanks to energy captured during regenerative braking, downhill terrain and conservative driving practices, more electric charge was created than utilized.
Consumers need to calculate based on their own driving needs if the Prius PHEV's $7,800 price premium is worth the investment when compared the Prius Liftback. Keep in mind, a Prius PHEV should qualify for a $2,500 federal tax credit deductible during income tax filing time. A conventional Prius Liftback hybrid is no longer eligible for this particular deduction since current guidelines dictate credits are redeemable only for the first 60,000 units sold of a qualifying fuel-extending vehicle. Through February 2013, approximately 12,000 Prius PHEVs have been snatched up since its debut.
Inside, a short, stubby shift knob between the front buckets resembles an upside down golf club head, probably a five-wood. The knob moves in a sideways "T" formation with reverse up and forward down. The electronic 'Park' gear gets summoned with the push of a nearby button. This electronic transmission is one part of a 45-degree center console extension from the dash to the arm-rest/storage bin between front buckets with open storage underneath for small laptops or purses.
Don't' look for a traditional instrument panel tucked down-wind of the steering wheel. An assortment of animated graphics and posted info nuggets gather together along a long narrow rectangular brow atop the center dash. Different screens displaying assorted factoids may be toggled through via steering wheel controls. Remaining battery range is displayed here digitally in a countdown fashion, ticking away in tenths-of-mile increments (although point size needs upsizing). The digital-only speedometer readout and bar-type fuel gauge never toggle out of sight. Push-button start comes standard.
Two Prius PHEV trims are available: Base and Advanced. Base trims begin at $32,000 while our Advanced tester started at $39,525. With dealer extras including cargo net ($49), floor mats ($225) and first-aid kit ($29), the bottom line ended at $40,558 after $760 destination charge. By comparison, a
2013 Toyota Prius Liftback starts at $24,200.
Advanced trim add radar cruise control, pre-collision technology, premium in-dash navigation, fog lamps, upgraded seating materials and power adjustable driver's seat.
The gas tank holds 10.6 gallons of regular, 87-octane fuel. The aerodynamic Prius PHEV maximizes every ounce of fossil fuel thanks to innovations including rolling resistant tires. Such technology usually runs counter to providing ultimate handling or tight suspension. The tradeoff is an estimated 50 miles per gallon in combined city/highway driving from the gas-hybrid engine itself and 11-15 electric miles from each three-hour electric fill.
As with other Prius family members, rear-view mirror perception is inhibited a bit because of the hatch door's quirky design.
Prius plug-in electric hybrid (PHEV)
Price: $40,588
Gas Engine: 1.8-liter four cylinder
Gas Engine Horsepower: 98
Battery Pack: 4.4 kilowatt lithium Ion
Combined horsepower: 134
Length: 176.4 inches
Width: 68.7 inches
Height: 58.7 inches
Gas tank capacity: 10.6 gallons
Hybrid battery warranty: 10 years/150,000 miles