Can a plug beat the Toyota Prius?
Is it worth to plug-in the Prius?
Is a plug-in Prius the better Prius?
Everybody has an opinion. Thus, when it comes to calling any consumer product the best, it’s usually easiest just to let the numbers do the talking.
Hence, in terms of hybrid cars and fuel economy in the US, for instance, the Toyota Prius easily stands out as the best. Certainly, the Prius isn’t the favorite pick of many hybrid buyers; however, in terms of overall sale’s numbers, the Prius simply squashes the competition.
But can a plug change that?
In a very interesting plug-in Toyota Prius review this morning, InsideLine calls the Toyota Prius the “best version of tomorrow’s electric vehicle.”
Obviously, GM and Nissan, for instance, would disagree.
Nissan might claim that it’s electric cars offer more than enough range for most commutes, while GM might claim that not only does their range extended plug-in offer enough range for most commutes, but can be extended with gasoline for those weekend trips and longer commutes.
And both would largely be correct, yet I’d have to agree with Edmunds that the plug-in Prius will still probably be the best.
According to much research, many commutes – such as the trips to the market, the mall, to drop off and pick up the kids, etc. are just 5 – 10 miles, and such commutes make up a large part of the daily grind. At such distances, the 14 miles of EV range provided by the plug-in Toyota Prius is enough.
But isn’t more EV range better?
Only if cost-effectiveness doesn’t matter, and consumer study after consumer study coupled with a vast amount of battery research indicates that small-battery plug-in vehicles offer the most cost-effective plug-in solution for the greatest number of potential consumers. I assume Edmunds knows this, and it’s why I agree with Edmunds that a plug-in Toyota Prius is probably the smartest execution of plug-in technology until either a major battery breakthrough or dynamic charging is achieved.
Regardless, will that make the plug-in Prius more popular than a conventional Prius?
Edmunds claims the plug-in version of the Prius will probably cost about $4,000 more than a conventional Prius. Already, most new car buyers find the Prius to be too expensive, so I doubt many non-hybrid buyers would consider the upgrade. For current Prius buyers, on the other hand, I’d bet an extra $4,000 would be compelling, but I’m not sure it would entice a majority of current Prius buyers to plug-in.
But is all that irrelevant anyway?
According to a number of automakers and auto analysts, some form of battery-powered vehicle could achieve as much as 20 – 25 percent new car sale’s penetration by 2020, with most buyers choosing conventional hybrids over any sort of plug-in vehicle. Thus, it appears that the lack of a plug isn’t deterring consumers from going hybrid, it’s simply upfront costs.
In order for hybrid cars, or any other battery-powered vehicle, to achieve such a high level of penetration, it appears costs will have to come down, and since plug-in costs are going to continue to provide sticker shock for most consumers for some time – not to mention the inability or desire to plug-in – it seems hard to believe that a plug-in vehicle, even a plug-in Prius, is going to knock the Prius off its perch as the best selling alternative vehicle for a very long time.
Most consumers don’t look at it that way James. Most consumers simply care about upfront costs and relative cost-effectiveness largely based upon those upfront costs. We’re a society that values instant gratification, not long term investing.
According to the battery research, Toyota’s approach offers the most cost-effective and efficient path to the plug based upon the technologies available and the demands of consumers.
Big problem with the Plug in Prius is the top speed in EV only mode. You cannot take it onto the freeway without using gas. My commute is 17 miles each way and 13 of those miles is on the freeway. Toyota just need to upgrade to a larger electric motor with a battery that can make the Prius go a distance on average greater than 20 miles and they will have a huge success.
and yes the hybrid camery is better than the prius in my opionion being that it is soo nice in the cabin. and i get better than the advertized gas miliage on the sticker no complaints here I love my hybrid lol never ever buy anything else go Toyota, and I not really sre how the plug in works but I am sure it will be a great addition to a already great line-ups of hybrids they sell.
Me thinks a lot of idiot or just really poor ppl who not like the hybrids is on here. I m here to tell you I was very surprised when I took my first road trip in my new camery hybrid and got a nice 43 mpg avg. I love the face when I take a short trip to the Post ffice I get 60 mpg since i use the battery only wow so you haters yo work for the bums like ford or nissian or gmc???? hybrid is here to stay and only get better!!!!! I have frieds who have a prius hybrid and they love their hybrid but are amazed at my avg miliage and it is sooo nice and comfortable I bought mine and they filled it up and after i put 575 on the milage after a month then wow I was impessed. I am told it will get better as I rack up more miles it will get broken in better and thus giving me better gas miliage wow wow. SO if you not have one then I guess you can afford the gas so quit your bitching lol or buy one and enjoy not having to get gas once a week lol
Isn’t that a pompous attitude, hater?
Toyota is aiming to further dominate the hybrid car market in which it already enjoys a sizeable advantage over other hybrid car makers. Other Wholesale
Anything’s better than the Prius.
Achieving 10 percent EV by 2020 uses about the same amount of battery material as being 100 percent hybrid by 2020. The later, I’m certain, offers much greater reductions in oil consumption and emissions, while creating plug-in upgradeable vehicles that could almost literally wipe out the legacy effect typically created by Americas couple hundred million fleet of autos.
So, I couldn’t agree more that “America just doesn’t get scale and transition.”
America just doesn’t get scale and transition. Why must we build electric cars when there is so much to be gained by good hybrids like the Prius? I think range is a huge issue. If the market for electric carts is only a 5 mile radius, then why not market upscale golf carts and have bike lanes that they can travel in? It would be more cost effective, allow for other green local transportation, and give battery technology more time to evolve to be strong enough for full size people movers.
I’d rather have my tax dollars developing bike lanes than being giveaways for corporate research!