Reader Comments
120. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
Did everyone forget about CNG vehicles? No pollution, fill up at home
less than $1 per gallon. Widely made in 90's & 2000 for fleet
vehicles. None now. Why?
119. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
The oil companies must be putting serious pressure on Toyota - 7 miles
before a recharge or the GAS engine comes on! Tesla has b ls.
Toyota, grow some.
118. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
We have been following the development of the Prius Hybrid since my
sister on the East Coast bought one in 2001. Currently, we are looking
to buy a new car (maybe a 2009 Prius). My wife and I just returned from
a long trip from the Madison, WI Area to Sante Fe and Taos, NM using
our Toyota Corolla and got 39+ mpg fully loaded during our vacation.
While we think we will probably buy a 2009 Prius, we are hesitant
because we know that Honda is coming out with a 2009 Hybrid (not until
after 1/2009) that may out perform the Prius regarding mpg, cargo space
etc.
Most people we speak to about their Prius including both my younger
sister and my younger brother really like their Prius but report
getting only about 50 mpg max on the highway (we do more highway
driving than city driving).
50 mpg is not much more than our Corolla gets @ 39 to 40 mpg hwy. Since
we can no longer get the tax incentive for the Prius, would it still be
worth the extra 9 or 10,000 more than one would pay for a new Corolla?
Any helpful information or supportive feedback that would help us make
a good decision on buying the best "Green Car" that will meet our needs
would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
117. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
> Coal is DIRTY, OIL is DIRTY and EXPENSIVE, Nuclear is VERY VERY
DIRTY and VERY VERY Expensive so as THINKING humans we are left with
wind and sun for energy sources.
But, humans that can do MATH understand there is not enough solar or
wind energy that can be captured in the US to support the current
population density, much less including inward migration, so we will
have to continue with coal and develop nuclear power. Otherwise, we
will starve in the dark.
116. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
The big 3..especially GM can go the way of the dino for all I care.
Instead of embracing they decided to literally squash their EV
technology. Toyota is guilty as well...Question...Why can't Toyota
build a prius that had the RAV4 EV technology coupled with a small
ICE??! Better...why don't they bring back the RAV4 EV with 120miles per
charge? Hmmm.
115. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
Waiting for Lithium Ion batt. to mature? Wow they have only been around
for 30 years...
They are dragging their feet on purpose, because they want all you
lemmings to run out and buy the 7 mile version, then wait two years and
run out and buy the 15 mile version, then wait two years and they will
release another 30 mile version. If a guy in a garage can make a prius
do 40 miles without gas then Toyota can do better, they just don't
because they are greedy. F~ Them and their cooperate BS, build you're
own EV, its under $10K total and will do 60 miles with no gas.
114. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
The best combination is a plug in Prius with the company EEStor's solid
state ultracapacitor.It will give a 10x capacity over the present
batteries in the Prius.
113. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
For a lifetime of driving I have averaged 40+ mpg. I drove 2 Rabbit
Diesels as well as a Golf Diesel. I am now getting 40-43 mpg faithfully
from my 2000 Honda Civic. I want a Plug-in that will give me at least
100 mpg overall if not better. I would like better. Can you do it? I
bet you can and they would fly out of the showroom. I remember my
Rabbits faithfully getting 55-60. There is a huge number of us out here
who can't understand why the big 3 have kept their head in the sand for
so long. Hmmmm, a pun?
112. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
Question: How does the plug-in effect the cost of driving?...such as
dollars/100 miles. Seems we need to know the cost of a 4 hour charge
and amount of gas used per 100 miles at, say $4/gallon. Please respond
at pauld213@hotmail.com.
111. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
#21 Where Have you been? Nuclear is not cleaner! It is hyped to be a
clean energy, but when you generate power with nuclear you get spent,
highly radioactive nuclear waste that has to be buried inside a
mountain in specially designed containers. It costs millions for the
excavation and building the storage containers. Also they are in the
process of hollowing out a mountain for storing nuclear waste and at
current production levels, the mountain cave will be full as soon as it
is completed. They will have to immediately have to start on another
mountain. I don't care how well the containers are designed, eventually
they are going to leak toxic waste into the ground. We need to use
solar and wind power, they generate no waste from beginning to end. I
agree with the plug in hybrid idea, but I am tired of seeing high
school shop classes who can build a woking hybrid of all electric
vehicle, and then hearing how multi-billion dollar auto companies can't
do it for another ten years. I am proud to be american, but we are
getting our tail kicked on the automotive front.
110. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
Website: http://www.looksgoodinpolkadots.wordpress.com
I'm all over the PHEV idea. We ADORE our 05 Prius and should be ready
to upgrade about the time the PLUG IN models arrive. EV's are much more
efficient than any other automotive option. More efficient than
hydrogen, definitely more efficient than gasoline. Yes it takes
electricity to charge those bad boys up... so buy yourself some wind
credits through the power company to offset your footprint. Install
solar panels on your house... no more excuses people. EV's make sense.
http://looksgoodinpolkadots.wordpress.com/2008/05/22/electric-vehicles-and-hydrogen-vehicles/
109. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
Re #104. The cost of a replacement battery for the RAV4 EV was ~$20000.
The American public purchased only about 300 RAV4 EV's per year, which
of course was unsufficient to warrant continued production.
108. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
#86 only if u new what your talking about... you are on the
"band-wagon" where u think everything is over priced, don't like it
DON'T BUY it. And before you post something research instead of just
listening to what your friends are saying that I am sure they are
pulling the information out of their ass
107. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
Gas is going up...$4.00+ in California keep going to the pump...every
week waste about $60.00 dollars...Can wait to buy one of this Hybrid
plug-in .
106. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
#86. "Big Oil" profits are 9%. I willing to bet the company you work for makes more than that.
105. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
Like it or not, coal and nuclear will be powering us for quite awhile
as oil supplies dwindle. Anybody who has done even rudimentary research
on the subject knows that solar cells are not only marginally
efficient, but that in many cases it takes a load of energy to
manufacture them and a lot of noxious chemicals. Wind simply does not
offer the required density. In the long run we'll be using a
combination of all of the above, but the near term (under twenty year
solution) will be nukes and coal. Deal with it.
104. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
We have 2 people in sonoma with rava 4 toyotas and they are getting 120
miles per charge. these cars are like 7 years old. what happened??
103. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
Re #14: Read up on why Toyota pulled the RAV4-EV. It was a license
problem. Chevron purchased the patent rights for the superior battery
technology in the RAV4-EV and they're suppressing it. Its sad our only
hope for better technologies is that some foreign company ( Sanyo,
Panasonic, Varta? ) develops it before the US Automaker or Oil Industry
can kill it.
102. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
Step 1 - California eliminates building permit fees for solar energy
projects, e.g. solar electric panels. Step 2 - California eliminates
increased property assessments for homes that install solar projects.
Step 3 - Local power companies buy back excess power from solar
electric panels according to time-of-day billing rates. Step 4 - States
reduce registration fees for qualifying hybrid and EV plug-in vehicles.
Step 5 - I'll put my money where my mouth is and buy all of the above.
101. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
Website: http://www.mickmarsden.com
My lease is up on my VW Passat March 28th 2009. I so want to buy a plug-in Prius at that time.
100. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
Coal is DIRTY, OIL is DIRTY and EXPENSIVE, Nuclear is VERY VERY DIRTY
and VERY VERY Expensive so as THINKING humans we are left with wind and
sun for energy sources. The Prius Electric with hybred is great
solution they should sell and optional Solar/Battery solution for night
time charging. And build in Solar panels on the roof (already available
in aftermarket). This IS the solution. Average 90 to 150 miles per
gallon of fuel the fuel could be gasoline or nat type gas.
Within 20 years we will find battery technology that will just need
battery/solar solution with no other fuel source. So the REAL solution
NOW is a Prius Solar Roof/Lithium and a Small Hybred Pickup like the
totally cool aBAT.
99. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
Coal is ten times cheaper than crude oil even. The Coal fired power
plant is dirty but less so than automobiles and they are more efficient
and there are many fewer "tailpipes" to monitor. The waste heat from
coal fired power plants can be used to help make ethanol for example,
but that from cars cannot be. Natural gas fired cogeneration
powerplants can be three times as efficient as most car engines.
98. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
I have 30 185 watt solar panels on my roof and a large battery array in
the garage. My wife's Prius will be a plug in by the end of June. Its
batteries will be powered by the sun. The batteries will be lithium
ion. Toyota is just being mesmerized by its own research. There are
many plug-in Prius' on the highway with lithium ion batteries.
calcars.org has all the information Toyota needs but they have to do it
themselves. They have become just like Detroi. If they don't invent it,
it cannot be good.
97. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
Dear Toyota, Please build this Plug-In Hybrid Technology to be on
Dealer lots this year. I want to buy the Plug-In Prius more than
anything in the world. This is the most exciting technology I've
read/studied and love it. Also, Please make it possible to fill the
vehicle with CNG, Compressed Natural gas. Almost every home that has
Electricity, Also has a Natural Gas Source. And Natural Gas is much
cleaner than Gasoline. And Natural gas cost less than One Dollar per
equivalent Gallon of gasoline as well. These are two good reasons to
make the vehicle have the choice between the three fuels. Electricity,
Gasoline, CNG, or a combination of each. Thank you Toyota! I'll call
your customer service/Corporate Headquarters everyday until you sell
the Plug in Prius to the public. I'm soo excited! Please don't make us
continue to wait!
96. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
Website: www.aptera.com
300+ MPG. Enough said.
95. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
i have a 2005 toyota prius that works great,the only complaint is the
tires are wearing out at 30000 miles.you would think they would last
through the warrenty,toyota should address the problem,what tires would
someone suggest i buy.thanks
94. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
One has always wondered why there is a punch out circle on the bottom
bumper of the Prius and other Toyota cars.Wife currently gets 55 MPG on
her 08 model. The 10" model will double in one way charges (14 miles).
Big 3 have a chance to turn the gas issue into the biggest consumer
upgrade in history. If they do not get it right this time, to hell with
them. I am dying to buy American, but it lookslike it will be Toyota
again.
93. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
I won't get a hybrid until they make a station wagon or minivan size.
I'm in the service industry and have equipment to haul. Besides, I've
heard that station wagon's are more aerodynamically efficient than
sedan's.
92. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
We need to go nuclear to get the energy, France does it, China does it, we can do it.
91. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
People who say that plug-ins are stupid because of electricity coming
from burning oil obviously don't consider hydro power, wind power,
solar or nuclear power.
You don't have to burn oil to make electric power just like you don't
have to eat fast food for every meal. There are choices people!
90. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
Bring back the EV1 and the RAV4EV! Those EV's worked great, the people
that drove them said they were great, any many years latter we can only
get 7 miles? My Ideal setup would be a hybrid for long trips and an
electric only for most of my driving. Add some solar panels on the
roof, a few batteries in the garage with an inverter and store the
power from the sun during the day and put in in your EV at night! More
power to toyota however, unlike the big three, they have a car that
people want NOW. The big three are so short sighted! They make money
while they can and are NEVER in sync with what the market is asking
for. They are behind the curve most of the time.
89. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
Its called a tesla. 220 miles on a charge, corrvette performance. add
home solar and you drive for free! now in production. expensive but so
were dvds when they first came out.
88. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
When oil gets to $150-200 a barrel, what do you think electricity is going to cost? Plug ins are stupid!
Should be concentrating on technology to recharge an efficient battery with motion.
87. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
I want to know of a Toyota dealer who has advance/current info. on the
'09 Prius. I'm interested in getting on a waiting list.
Thanks,
Dennis
86. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
I own a 2006 Prius and love it. Looking forward to plug in's. Re:
commenter #5, how many feel like me - I can't wait for the day when we
can "return the favor" to big oil and stomp them into the ground - just
as they've been doing to us all these years! We have a global crisis -
our politivians are immobilzed by lobbyists, more and more people can't
eat, can't pay their mortgages, we're shorting education while big oil
"rapes" us. They're taking obscene profits and, remember, they don't
call income "profit" until they can't find anywhere else to pidgeon
hole it.
85. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
RE: Comment #70 - Wife drives 2 miles to work in their minivan.
Buddy, do the math. How much gas/money will she save with a PHEV? The
premium for the car would buy decades of gasoline for your wife's
commute!
PHEV's are great if they can deal with someone like myself who has a 70
mile commute (round trip) and having a car run 40 miles+ each way on
electricity would be terrific.
84. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
We need 30-40 miles of range on battery alone. That kind of range will
turn the world upside down and set the U.S. free from foreign oil.
Think of the global repercussions! No more cow towing to the Saudis and
their ilk. Yes, we will have to generate more electricity to charge the
batteries, but we've got lots of options there. It narrows our energy
challenge into an issue of investment in the electrical grid with OUR
OWN resources.
83. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
I have a 2008 toyota prius and I love it I am planing on geting a plug-in prius for my sun.
82. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
I drive a Prius and enjoy 50+ mpg, however, I have heard that a wagon design with solar assist is also in the making.
81. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
im 18 going on 19
i remember saying i would
much rather wait a few years for the prius to be a plug in car.
before i buy one.
and low and behold its here!
aahhh!
:]
i can't wait.
80. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
Website: http://fuelzilla.com/
If they can make a production model go 7 miles on electric power only,
there will sure be upgrades on the market that will boost it to 20 and
40 miles, depending on how much you are willing to pay for a battery.
There is a ton of unused space in Prius'es trunk (assuming they will
not do a major redesign).
Also, a little correction: the gasoline engine in the current (2007)
model kicks in at around 40 MPH, not 25 MPH. If you are accelerating on
a down slope or noone is behind you, you can conceivably get it to 40
MPH in electric only. In real life if you try to keep up with traffic,
you will only get to 15MPH or so before ICE kicks in because you would
want quicker acceleration than the electric motor (the battery's
current actually) can provide.
Anxiously waiting for the 2009 model. My kid had grown up to driving
age and I'm planning to dump my 2007 Prius on him and get myself a
2009, LOL!
79. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype & Gas Prices
These hybrids are great and they'll do well. For the people that are
talking about $5-6 gas prices. Realize why gas is so expensive first.
It is the weak dollar. When the economy turns around in the next 3 or 4
years and the dollar gets back to even par with the Euro from interest
rate hikes and debt pay-down, which it will... then gas prices will at
that time reach levels where people will think of them as reasonable
again. Peak oil is BS. It's all manipulated on the open markets, supply
and inventories that is...
78. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
Soon we'll be back to where we were 20 years ago! The oil companies buy
up battery technologys and do nothing with it to kill innovation. The
technology to drive hundreds of miles at a time on electricity is
around. There are even cars that run on (compressed) air. Looking at
NMG car, Tango, Telsa, and Zenn car that's highway capable
77. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
Toyota has yet to give up the parallel approach - the gain in distance
is achieved in decoupling into a series configuration and adding more
battery with the smaller ICE engine and no mechanical transmission.
Prius will gain massive distance with more battery when they give up
the mechanical connection from the engine to the tires.
76. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
The 7 miles on elctric only is a joke...check out Raser
Technolgies..they we show off a Hummer that will get 100mpg!!! Now we
are talking!!!
75. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
Reply to #25. I don't think the auto manufacturers are in cahoots
really. I think the dealers make so much money off of maintenance that
they are trying to figure out a way to keep making it. PHEVs would
lower this drastically and the dealers don't want that.
74. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
I think that its a really cool idea, but if you travel alot and do so
with friends or family you will be sacrificing too much trunk space.
I'd rather have the trunk space and be able to carpool, along with all
my gear, than have to take two cars that are slightly more efficient.
73. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
It is a little disappointing that Toyota is only looking at seven miles
in the all electric range. Tesla has an all electric system, and GM is
going with the Volt at forty all electric miles and Zap has a model
with one hundred miles. Perhaps the technology is one year out and
Toyota is trying to hit the market sooner, but with seven miles in
electric mode, it is hardly worth making the transition from my current
Prius when the technology is about to explode.
72. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
LOOK LIKE PRIUS IS THE CAR TO HAVE.
71. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
I'm interested in the plugin all electric idea. I hope Toyota will fess
up soon with details on what they are going to release.
Until I know more, I'm keeping my eye more on the GM Volt (2010) 40
mile all electric (680 mile with backup generator), and the Zap Alias
(2009) with a 100 mile all electric range. Also they both look better
than a Prius.
70. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
Currently my wife drives two miles to work in our mini-van. We are
looking forward to trading the van in on a new 2009 Prius PHEV
69. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
My husband and I are renting a 2008 Prius for a road trip this year. We
don't want to take our 14 miles to the gallon Jeep Cherokee. We are
going to buy the 2009 Prius. How can you not buy one with ridulous gas
prices. From all the other comments, I know we won't be the only ones.
Go Prius!!
68. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
I WANT ONE!!!! NOW
67. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
#58 "When fuel hits $5 or $6 a gallon say bye bye to the Big three" In
Europe, the price is 8 USD a gallon, and your are right, there are no
Big three cars here...
66. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
The plug in Prius is likely to be my next car to replace my 25 mi/GAL
Ford Focus. BUT, if available in the US I would rather buy the
compressed air car from the new French car manufacturer MDI. They will
be for sale in France in 2009 and also available in bi-energy with
excellent autonomy and half price than the Prius.
65. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
The plug in Prius is likely to be my next car to replace my 25 mi/GAL
Ford Focus. BUT, if available in the US I would rather buy the
compressed air car from the new French car manufacturer MDI. They will
be for sale in France in 2009 and also available in bi-energy with
excellent autonomy and half price than the Prius.
64. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
The plug in Prius is likely to be my next car to replace my 25 mi/GAL
Ford Focus. BUT, if available in the US I would rather buy the
compressed air car from the new French car manufacturer MDI. They will
be for sale in France in 2009 and also available in bi-energy with
excellent autonomy and half price than the Prius.
63. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
From what I have previously read, I thought the plug-in hybrids would
get about 30 miles before exhausting the batteries. That would allow
most drivers to commute at moderate speed without using gasoline. Seems
to me, except for new adopters, that is the point at which a plug-in
hybrid would really become attractive to urban drivers.
62. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
7 miles per charge is pathetic with a 3 to 4 hr. recharge time frame..
We had the ev1 about ten yrs. ago and thet could go forever on a charge
(100 to 150 miles).. I guess we should go backwards and re-learn old
ways to become efficient.. Mabe we should start becoming independent
and build our own system as many people are doing today..
61. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
I want to put up a deposit and get in line for a plug-in model of the
Prius when they come out and I hope it will be soon!!! The big 3 US
auto makers had their chance to produce a marvelous product and in fact
did make such a product in the form of the EV1 but then collectively
orchestrated a recall and destruction of this fine automobile to their
shame.. It would have revived their industry as gas prices continues to
go into the stratosphere but wonder of wonders they ass kissed their
bed partners, the oil industry and other special interests including
the Bushies to kill a great product.. The US auto industry will become
extinct just like the dinosaurs because the morons who run it are not
forward thinking and can,t adapt or see the inevitable coming.. They
deserve what they get!!! Let,s, once again, hire some brains in our
countrys industries so that we can get back to leading the world in
inovation and technology.. John Meyer, a very concerned citizen..
60. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
Website: http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2008/03/geneva-volkswagens-69-mpg-golf-diesel.html
Well, here's a promising start for diesel/hybrid technology. Due in the
US market is the new VW Hybrid TDI Golf (rabbit), however like many of
you were hoping, it does not include a Li-ion battery, it uses NiMH
packs but still has a very nice output of 69 MPG. See the attached link
for more info.
59. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
Just when is the 2009 Prius supposed to come out? Number 28 has got it
all wrong. Our society is steeped in what is best for me.A clean
environment is best for ALL and in the long run benefits everyone,
wallet included
58. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
Some quick comments:
1. The Japanese get it, Detroit doesn't.
2. When fuel hits $5 or $6 a gallon say bye bye to the Big three,
because they are short sighted and tied to the old way of thinking and
big oil way with huge hp.
3. Plug in is great and I want one. It's just a step.
The future is dictated by Peak Oil reality. Read up on it and get wise.
The Prius is only a step. We need something even better. Check out
Aptera for a look at future thinking.
If you want to be really efficient and are in IT work from home.
Electrons over the wire are far more efficient than moving humans and
steel around on freeways..
The future for sustainability (no counting wars and massive famines)
will be something like a wind generator providing perhaps 3KW of power
for your "earth bermed home". The house will be far more efficient. The
wind generator will provide the equivalent to 10 gallons of gas a
month. You'll have to do all your driving on the equivalent of 1/10th
that. This means, 3000lb cars are going to be to large and a 50KW motor
way to large. The 42 HP Prius will be an expensive antique. You'll want
a 300 to 500lb three wheeled 1 seater for most of your transportation.
That will use a 3KW or less motor and probably a small battery. Your
goal should be to have an enclosed piece of one man transportation with
some supplies, like a velomobile. Maybe something like a three wheeled
enclosed snowmobile for weight comparison. The HP will be low because
you need the energy from renewable. You'll drive 15,000 miles with this
kind of device on 1/10th the power from your wind generator, if your
lucky.
57. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
For people who think that plug-ins are dirty because we burn coal to
get the electricity from the wall, you should check out this web site
for a detailed pollution calculation that shows why coal generated
electricity is still much greener than burning gas in a car.
http://www.evworld.com:80/general.cfm?page=evFAQ&title=EV%20FAQs
56. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
2009 seemed too long to wait for the Plug-in EV. They should have all
the parts and blueprints of the previous EV's before and they are just
dragging it. I hope the Oil Companies will not fund the "so called
experts" and give bias studies again to discourage people from buying
Plug in Hybrid EV's. We should show OPEC and other OIL Producing
countries that we can survive with less use of their oil.
55. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
"The prototype battery system weighs about 220 lbs. more than the
current production Prius pack and intrudes into the trunk so that
that’s there’s only room for about two medium size suitcases."
There ya go. One of the main reasons the prius is so viable to the
general public is because it offers the same level of utility as a
mainstream vehicle: Similar (or better) range, passenger space, and
cargo space. Start sacrificing cargo or passenger room for more
batteries and you pigeon-hole yourself back into the "specialty"
market. There are thousands of people ready to buy a specialty vehicle
that is ultra-high efficiency with low cargo space, but there are
millions of people that want an "above average" efficiency car with no
sacrifices.
-----
Of course we can make it... but should we?
54. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
Every battery technology has its advantages and disadvantages.
I have a 2004 Prius and love it. But what I really wanted was an
electric car, but the Rav4EV was only sold in the West.
Ni Hydride have high current but need a computer to carefully control
charge and discharge, but they have very high current output.
Li is a very nice technology to use because the voltage of the cell is
a very accurate indication of the state of charge.
An interesting advantage of greater battery only range is that the
safety actually improves because you are not trying to charge and
discharge such a large percentage of the battery capacity in such a
short time.
As a side note one of the first batteries I bought was a bunch of
surplus cells I bought from an ad in the back of Popular Science I
think they cane from the Nike anti-aircraft missile program. I used
than to jump start cars when they were 30 years old.
They were F cells which are like d cells but about 50% longer.
53. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
#36 - you don't HAVE to plug in a 'plug in hybrid' - you CAN plug it in
if you like - but if you want to drive around all year and go to the
gas station every day you can.
That's the beauty of the plug in hybrid.
52. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
#1 You need to keep in mind that the 7 miles per charge is based on the
NiMH batteries NOT Lithium-ion. A PHEV based on Lithium-ion batteries
is where you get the longer range.
51. Read #14
Everyone should simply read #14. The auto makers have stalled on this for over 10 YEARS.
50. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
The hybrids are sweet and I got a hand job from #2.
49. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
I am buying one and I am going to ge ta solar panal and charge this
thing off the grid that should help increase the green effect
48. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
this car rock off my parents sock cause they want to buy it but the
only problem is that they are smooke too much so they can't afford it
buty i just wanted to share that with you
47. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
What do you mean by plug in?
46. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
Does anybody remember that chevron owns the nickel metal battery
technology that worked so well 10 years ago on the rav-4, ev-1, s-10
electric, and ranger ev? They sued toyota for continuing to use the
NiMh batteries that worked so well in the rav-4ev. THATS WHY WE DONT
HAVE LONG RANGE EV'S ANYMORE!!!! I converted my own car a geo metro and
get 50-60 miles per charge on regular wal mart boat batteries, so it is
possible. All this talk about 10-40 mile ranges with exspensive lithium
batteries is ridiculous. NiMh batteries work great only we are not
allowed to use them because chevron bought out the rights.
45. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
Does anybody remember that chevron owns the nickel metal battery
technology that worked so well 10 years ago on the rav-4, ev-1, s-10
electric, and ranger ev? They sued toyota for continuing to use the
NiMh batteries that worked so well in the rav-4ev. THATS WHY WE DONT
HAVE LONG RANGE EV'S ANYMORE!!!! I converted my own car a geo metro and
get 50-60 miles per charge on regular wal mart boat batteries, so it is
possible. All this talk about 10-40 mile ranges with exspensive lithium
batteries is ridiculous. NiMh batteries work great only we are not
allowed to use them because chevron bought out the rights.
44. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
On another note, for people who think that plug-ins are dirty because
we burn coal to get the electricity from the wall, you should know that
power plants are more efficient and have a bigger yield of electricity
than gasoline engines. So burning more coal to burn less gas really is
beneficial to the environment, not to mention much cheaper.
43. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
There seems to be a misconception that the plug-in hybrid absolutely
NEEDS to be plugged in. This is false. The reason why you would want to
plug it in is that you don't burn gas for short runs. In theory, f you
drive less than 7 miles a day and plug it in nightly, you'll never ever
need to put gas in your car. But if you choose not to plug it in, then
it operates like a normal prius, meaning it is always in Hybrid mode.
42. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
I am interested in this vehicle for 2 reasons, to save money and to
lessen our dependence on foreign oil. It's about time we have a vehicle
that makes the greenies happy and also makes someone like me happy as
well.
41. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
Production of nickel batteries in hybrids negate the benefit of the
vehicles, but combine combine 70mpg diesels with bio-diesel and you
have a winner.
40. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
"Asakura said the prototypes can operate on electric power for a range
of about 7 miles and can re-charge in three to four hours using a
110-vlot outlet. Under the hood is the current Prius’s 1.5-liter inline
four. The electric motor generates 50kW, which combined with the more
powerful pack, allows the Prius prototype to reach 62 mph on
electric-only power. Current cars can only hit about 25 mph before the
gasoline engine cuts in."--2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype:
Tokyo Test Drive.
This means we can drive for 7 miles at a peak speed of 62 MPH without
going into the HYBRID mode. This will work for short commutes to work,
under 7 miles. for a gas free transport. Current hybrids shift from
electric into HYBRID mode, which uses gas,if you exceed 25 mph. Please
correct me if I am wrong or missing added points. Thank you.
39. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
As to the 2009 model..... I will buy it......if it is lithium-ion, with plug-in!
38. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
I see the plug in hybrid as THE next generation automobile. Power
plants that become more green. A power box in the garage that charges
at the most economical times. Battery technology that improves. A small
'gasoline' engine that can burn used cooking oil, etc. AND people
living closer to work. We could practically eliminate burning oil or
coal over time.
37. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
I see the plug in hybrid as THE next generation automobile. Power
plants that become more green. A power box in the garage that charges
at the most economical times. Battery technology that improves. A small
'gasoline' engine that can burn used cooking oil, etc. AND people
living closer to work. We could practically eliminate burning oil or
coal over time.
36. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
I own a 2003 Prius and this is the first car I have had this long that
I still say, "I LOVE MY CAR." That being said, I don't want to go to a
plug in version. I don't want to have to rely on being able to plug my
car in somewhere to get the best gas mileage, but want technology that
provides better gas mileage without relying on a store, business, or
other place where I may go to have a spot for me to "plug in" and
recharge. I had heard Toyota was coming out with three versions of the
Prius for 2009, only one of which was a plug in version...anyone else
hear the same thing? What else do they have to offer, and where else am
I going to have to look to replace my car in the next couple years?
35. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
When you talk about companies like Tesla and state they get so and so
mileage from a charge. None of the companies stated have anything in
production yet. All they have is concepts that they are having a hard
time getting to production. Guess what. It's the batteries. All the car
companies and battery makers can make all the claims they want but
until you give us a production vehicle all you have is a concept.
34. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
I work about 10 miles from my office. It would not be difficult to add
a charging station in our parking lot. Most of my shopping trips are in
the 20 mile one-way range. Charging stations in store parking lots
could be an option for retailers looking for "green" points. I think
7-10 mile electric ranges are very viable.
33. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
Comment on #31....please keep in mind that some of us drive very short
distances. You are driving 50+ miles one way each day. The car is nice
and warmed up and running efficiently. I live 5 miles from work. The
stores I shop at are about 1 mile away. In the winter, I sometimes only
average 36 MPG. It isn't always jack rabbit starts that hurt mileage.
32. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
I am very likely to purchase the 2009 Prius, especially if its a plug
in. How about adding factory installed solar panels on the roof of the
vehical... so while its parked all day while I work it can recharge as
well. My commute is about 10 miles each way, even with the low end
estimate of 7 miles per charge... with a solar panel enhancement I
could almost make it both ways without further improvments. Of-course
the more improvements toward efficiency the better to include better
battries or kinetic energy recapturing capabilites.
31. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
Commment on #30, I own my third Prius and I commute over 50 mles one
way in the DC area from MD to VA and have been getting over 53 MPG on
the last two vehicles. I keep up with the traffic on the beltway and
toll road driving at traffic speeds of about 65MPH. I surprised at
people who are only getting in the 40s and suspect that it has a lot to
do with driviing habits, as my wife only gets in the 40s but she does
the jack rabbit starts ansd doesn't look ahead at the traffic
suituations and anticipate slow downs and light changes. I beleive that
all dirvers could improve their gas mileage significantly if they would
only calm down and not try to be the first to get somewhere..
30. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
Looks exciting but I agree with the writers who say 7 miles (not MPG,
#13) per charge is too low. I've got nearly 70K miles on a 2003 (old
model) Prius, at a bit over 42 MPG, figured the only accurate way - by
dividing the odometer reading by the gallons bought each time and
keeping an Excel file of the figures. The MPG readings on the car's
display are usually about 5% optimistic. Forget promises and boasts,
and EPA figures are simply ridiculous. Consumer Reports tests are the
most accurate - my car got 41 MPG there - and I suggest we wait for the
reality of rolling hardware. Not as much fun, of course.
29. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
#20 - like your ideas... what do you think about using fuel cell tech
to produce electricity for the grid, ie., build massive scale fuel cell
complexes along the cost, crack the hydrogen out of ocean water using
small, standardized nukes, pump output to the grid. kind of seems like
a good way to get clean energy, and move cars to almost all electric
(use Diesel to run elec gen on car when needed, other wise use new MIT
batteries to get charge off of the grid using fuel cell tech).
28. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
"What is the benefit of burning coal in a power station to charge the
hybrid's battery over petrol?"
The answer is short, sweet, and good for you. The benefit is in your
WALLET. The benefit is that you will be buying your energy, probably,
from your government, which you can control by using the power of the
vote. Better yet, you could manufacture your own electric energy using
solar power or wind power, which would be very clean energy. Remember,
this is not just about the environment, it's also about economic
interests and benefits (benefits for YOU).
27. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
#20 - like your ideas... what do you think about using fuel cell tech
to produce electricity for the grid, ie., build massive scale fuel cell
complexes along the cost, crack the hydrogen out of ocean water using
small, standardized nukes, pump output to the grid. kind of seems like
a good way to get clean energy, and move cars to almost all electric
(use Diesel to run elec gen on car when needed, other wise use new MIT
batteries to get charge off of the grid using fuel cell tech).
26. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
IN defense to the car makers they have to work in extreme cold and hot
conditions with varied customer tastes. But eliminate the trial lawyers
and take some risks and give some options to the buyers vs. tell the
buyers what we can do?? We will decide the winners not them!!!!
Let us decide if we need trunk space or not, etc.
Now that would be success, give the customer the option of choices???
25. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
Auto manufacturers are so tied to petroleum companies that it makes it
politically difficult, if not impossible, for the auto manufacturers to
develop PHEVs. Combine this with the fact that auto manufacturers have
billions invested in current ICE production lines there is no way PHEV
technology will be available any time soon. Even the Toyota Prius which
is ideally positioned to go PHEV immediately will be stalled by the oil
lobby. I really think that PHEV is one of the major items in an
intelligent energy policy that must include nuclear power as well as
other energy alternates - but we don't even have an energy policy! PHEV
technology is swimming against the tide and the tide is for bigger gas
guzzlers promoted by the auto manufacturers and the petroleum
companies. Just look at the ads on TV...and $5:00 a gallon gas is just
around the corner. If the US does not move away from dependence on
foreign oil our economy will tank which is what our enemies (we know
who they are) want. It is despicable that US oil companies are
complicit with this prospect.
24. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
21 someone is doing a Hybrid deisel it will get arounf 225 MPG its a kit car look up the XR3 Hybrid
23. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
ACTUALLY, volvo is. they have the c30 coming out in a deisel hybrid
model and its sposedly getting well over 60mpg! look it up!
22. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
I have to agree with #21. This seems the easiest way to transition to
electric cars. Have a battery electric you can plug in that has a
diesel generator aboard for when you run out of juice for the battery.
Then cost and efficiency drives what fuel you use when. As demand for
electricity drives prices up, more power plants will come online. We
already have some nuke plants in the beginning stages.
Cleaner, safer, cheaper.
21. RE: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
It's surprising to me that no one is developing a diesel/hyrid. If you
combined a small turbo diesel with a Li battery pack, you would easily
exceed all of the performance figures we've seen for plugins.
20. RE: First Drive: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype
The new Lithium Nickle Manganes oxide system batteries, invented by MIT
will over come all the problems with Li batteries and give a faster
charge and double the range of present Li battries at a lower cost. A
new engine, called a Rand Cam will also give a very compact hi power
mulifuel on board back up generator. So the future is about to arrive.
The Prius is a joke here in Europe, as most Diesels can match or beat
it on mpg. Hydrogen is a no go, it has to be made and difficult to
transport, ethanol cost as much oil to produce energy out and the corn
produced stuff has a high cancer causing gas when burnt. The sugar cane
produced stuff is OK.
So I agree with the idea get out out of gasoline\ethanol go biodiesel.
Hell coconut oil makes a great diesel fuel. Central generation of power
with good gas scrubers on coal will beat any gasoline engine for co2
per Kw and thats what matters. Larger Solar power stations with
pressurised hot water storage for overnight power generation are coming
coming, so there is hope in getting out of oil.
19. RE: First Drive: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype
I've been holding out of buying a new car because I didn't like the
current options out there. If the PHEV Prius is announced, I'll buy one.
18. RE: First Drive: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype
#12, really you don't know what you are talking about. Tesla is using
their own battery sytem (ESS) with tradition LI cells. A123 has a
problem with power density and high cost. At this time they can not
produce enough cells for any PEV. Furthmore, GM has yet to select a
vendor for the volt if that vapourware vehicle ever sees the light of
day. They have 2 companies they are working with to evaluate tech and
one is a123 but it is by no means a production ready option. There is
no winner or loser in Li batter tech yet, there is not even an ideal
option. Sony did not lose selecting betamax it was their own tech much
like the HDDVD vs BlueRay battle now and it had nothing to due with
timing.
17. RE: First Drive: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype
I wonder why they do not use the ultracapacitor technology that ZENN
motors is using from EESTOR? They get 500 miles for a 5 minute charge.
Information on www.ultracapacitors.org
16. RE: First Drive: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype
In response to #3: The benefits to plugging-in a vehicle rather than
burning petrol in your car are many. 1. The grid is cleaner than the
internal combustion engine. Even in those states that burn coal to make
electricity, CO2 production with a plug-in hybrid will be 15% less than
that same hybrid running on petrol. 2. The grid continues to get
cleaner, cars don't. In my state 14% of my electricity is generated
from renewables like solar and wind. These sources of energy will grow
over time and as they do our plug-in cars will become more green. 3. It
is easier to make progress on cleaning up power plants. As we develope
better and better pollution control systems it is far easier to clean
up a few thousand power plants than it is to retrofit and clean up
several million private vehicles. 4. Regulated Pricing. Electric
Utilities are organized for public benefit as well as profit. they are
regulated by public utilities commissions. As a result, the price of
electricity is extremely stable. If a utility wants to raise prices, it
must hold public hearings and win approval of the regulatory agency.
When was the last time you attended a public hearing when your local
gas station wanted to raise the price of pertol? 5. Efficiency.
Electric vehicles are 5 times more efficient than internal cumbustion
engines. Electric vehicles put a huge amount of their stored energy
into moving the car forward. Internal combustion engines put a lot of
their energy into making waste heat and are therefore not as efficient.
If we are going reduce our oil comsumption in this country, efficiency
is going to matter. 6. Air Quality. Internal combustion engines emit a
raft of compounds that are unhealthy, plain and simple. the more
electric miles we can drive, the cleaner our air. 7. Lower maintenance
costs and less landfill waste. Electric vehicles require almost no
maintenance and have no air cleaners, oil filters, spark plugs, engine
oil, fan belts, radiators, fuel filters, etc. gas engines require
maintenence and a whole bunch of nasty oily replacement parts that end
up in landfills. If a driver purchased a plug-in hybrid and drove just
20 all-electric miles per day, their car would never need a tune-up and
they would shed no nasty dirty parts into the landfill. I could keep
going, but you get the picture.
15. RE: First Drive: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype
to commentor #10, about the aftermarket plug in kits from hymotion (its
owned by 123systems) and calcars and google's plug it project, its
currently all about the cost. Currently its only suitable for fleets,
as the expenses are scaled down..
14. Soon we'll be back to where we were 10 years ago!
Website: http://evnut.com
Our main vehicle is a Toyota Rav4EV (charged from the solar panels on
the garage roof). These fully electric, 80 mph, 100+ mile range
vehicles were built from 1997 until model year 2003. Ours is a 2002,
and we have 50,000 miles on ours after more than four years of driving.
Many drivers have gone over 100,000 miles and are still going strong on
the original batteries. So here is a ten-year-old battery technology
that offers over 100 miles of battery range. And today we're struggling
for seven or ten or even 40 miles? I guess if we work hard enough, we
can eventually find out way back to where we were ten years ago. :sigh:
GM had the EV1 going about 150 miles per charge.... and today the
promised Volt will manage 40 miles... if we can just find the batteries
that will allow that huge range!
13. RE: First Drive: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype
Website: http://www.dorksandlosers.com
You'll need at least 20 MPG on battery before anyone would be comfortable driving it.
12. RE: First Drive: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype
Unfortunately Toyota bet on the wrong Lithium technology, so now they
are a bit behind. Three or four companies have already solved the
Lithium problem-- most famous is A123 Systems, whose batteries grace
the all-electric Tesla Roadster (this is who GM was smart enough to
team up with for their upcoming Chevy Volt). But besides them, Valence
Technologies has lithium batteries for cars, as does Altair Nano, and a
fourth company in Canada called Advance Lithium Power-- whose batteries
will be used in the new luxury Plug-In hybrid by Fisker Automotive
(www.fiskerautomotive.com). All four companies have patented unique
solutions for safe lithium batteries, and all use different technology
from the one Toyota bet heavily on. In this case GM may really benefit
from being "last"-- much like Sony bet heavily on Betamax back in the
day and then lost big when everyone went with VHS-- GM is the latecomer
but will license proven technology from A123 Systems rather than pour
research dollars into developing their own lithium solution. A123
lithium batteries will I think also appear in the 2009 V-1 from Venture
Vehicles (www.flytheroad.com)
11. RE: First Drive: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype
#3, My take on why a plug-in hybrid is better is that getting energy
from a centralized source like the electrical grid is likely to be more
efficient. Think of all the waste going on in an individual car. The
electrical grid system is doing all the energy conversion from raw
materials all in one or a few places, not in every one's car that needs
to be separately maintained. Also, the original source of the energy
can change, but users' cars don't change. For example, cars could still
receive electricity if the grid went from coal to nuclear or whatever.
It is always more efficient to do things centrally, unless the
distribution has too much loss. I guess that is the question: is the
electrical grid an efficient means of delivering energy? Also, how does
it compare in pollution? It's easier to optimize in centralized
locations rather than changing all the cars every once in a while.
Interesting...
10. RE: First Drive: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype
Website: www.vivagen.net
We own a 2007 Prius and really love it, as we get about 47 MPG ciy
mileage. But we also see that other 3rd party companies, such as
Hymotion and 123Systems, and even Google are implementing Li-Ion
battery pack upgrades boasting over 100 MPG, even up to 150 MPG. From
our viewpoint, as Prius owners and environmentalists, Toyota R&D is
not doing enough to research and implement Li-ion and plug-in
technology. With some pun intended, they seem to be "asleep at the
wheel". And, this leaves owners like us wondering WHY such technology
is only available as aftermarket add-ons. Before we make our next
purchase, there needs to be some significant upgrades to the current
Prius design.
9. RE: First Drive: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype
Toyota first needs to focus on it's quality control! I have been test
driving various Toyota's over the past couple of weeks since our Maxima
died. I have also been a Toyota driver for over 25 years since my first
Corolla. My test drive of the Prius was not impressive in terms of the
fit and finish. The dash was vibrating and a little hard to read on
rough roads. Two days ago I bought a 2008 Accord. Honda appears to be
taking care of the small stuff, while Toyota is dropping the ball.
8. RE: First Drive: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype
to commentor #4: you would be much better of reading about things
before making un-informed statements. The LI batteries are available
but even Fuji motors does not use them on small vehicles. They put them
on heavy machinery, where the batteries are heavily shielded. EVERYONE
is aware that many tests need to be run to ensure their will not be any
health risks. I am sure you would have been saying EVERYONE knows you
can walk into a nuclear blast zone with no danger if you were around
back in the days we exposed our troops to radiation in the desert here
and out on a few islands in Asia.
7. RE: First Drive: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype
The mentioned Saturn Vue Greeline is just a pipedream. If you follow
the announcements, GM is working with a company to develop Lithium Ion
technology. They aren't even close but if you see the advertizing, they
try to make it appear that they will sell a car real soon. NOT! What
Toyota appears to be doing is realistic and will accomodate future
Lithium Ion technology when it does indeed become safer.
6. RE: First Look: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype
Locally produced Biomass can be co-fired in coal burning power plants -
Renewable, carbon neutral, 25 ton per acre Biomass Super Sorghum,
Miscanthus grass, fast growing tree crops, etc. When algae is
commercialized by 2015, algae farms can be adapted to coal plants, in
order to remove most of the CO2 and exhaust fumes, and to provide
supplemental fuel. Algae will average over 100 dry tons of biomass per
acre per year. You also have a growing number of alternative power
sources, which eventually will replace coal and fossil fuels.
5. RE: First Look: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype
Even if we had to use coal plants for electricity it is better than oil. We have to get off oil.
4. RE: First Look: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype
The 209 Sturn Vue Greenline will have plug-in capability geater than
the Prius and will use those advanced 3rd generation li on batteries
that Toyota obviously can't obtain. Toyota has pepeatedly lied about li
ion batteiries, making false claims about the safety of batteries that
everyone knows are very bit as safe as the now-obsolete NiMH batteries
that Toyota is forced to use.
3. RE: First Look: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype
Website: www.ontrac.co.za
I am a great fan of the 'hybrid' concept; particularly with
small/medium size vehicles, but the idea of a 'plug-in' hybrid has me
puzzled. Energy has to come from SOMEWHERE. What is the benefit of
burning coal in a power station to charge the hybrid's battery over
petrol?
2. RE: First Look: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype
I am ready to buy the model described, the first 2009 T/H Plug In. Where do I sign? When can I take delivery?
1. RE: First Look: 2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype
The proposed 7 miles prior to recharge for the 2009 PRIUS, seem to low,
if the several companies modifing the present cars are claiming 40
miles before recharging is factual. As a satisfied 2005 PRIUS owner, I
would hope for a figure higher then 7 miles before charging. Please
keep working on that. Thank you. larry