During the coming decade, consumers will find more automotive propulsion choices and more combinations of choices then ever imagined.
Take, for example, the top-selling gas-electric hybrid in the United States, the front-wheel-drive Toyota Prius on sale since 2000. An all-new plug-in hybrid version (PHV) is set for sale in 15 select states during the first half of 2012. Chicagoland enthusiasts may have to wait patiently until the 2013 calendar year.
The plug-in version does not replace the current gas-electric Prius, but is an additional member to a growing family. Toyota's five-door Prius PHV hatchback marks the first plug-in hybrid available for consumer purchase in the U.S. Nissan announced its all-electric Leaf will be available for sale in the Windy City this October ($35,000) one year earlier than scheduled while Chevrolet's extended-range, plug-in Volt ($41,000) is targeted for Chicago dealers by the end of 2011. Prices do not reflect federal and state rebate-like tax deductions.
Before its grand entrance, Toyota made a number of pre-production PHVs available to government utilities and media folks for evaluation. All adorn dainty light blue exteriors and side decals creating rolling billboards of sorts. New plug-ins from various manufacturers sport differing electric ranges, prices and technologies, so research diligently prior to purchase.
While the extended range Chevrolet Volt (approximately 40 miles of electric travel after which a gas engine kicks in to power an electric drive system) and all-electric Nissan Leaf (80 miles of exclusive electric travel) have dominated news cycles of late, Toyota's well earned leadership in hybrid engineering provides a competitive edge and built-in customer base.
Like the traditional third-generation Prius introduced in 2010, Prius PHV includes second-generation gas-electric hybrid technology, regenerative braking recapturing electrical energy and a "pause mode," saving fuel by switching off the gas engine at prolonged stops. Unlike its Gen 3 hybrid sibling, the Prius PHV battery pack features 288 lithium ion cells in place of nickel-metal hydride batteries. Lithium ion technology is the same power source used for conventional cellular phones and lap top computers. As with a cell phone, the Prius PHV must be recharged often via a wall charger or risk loosing its mojo. Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf also utilize lithium Ion technology.
Prius PHV pricing is expected in the $30,000 range, lower than Volt or Leaf. The caveat? Prius PHV offers a shorter all-electric range. Prius PHV can be driven approximately 14 miles in all-electric mode before switching over to gas-electric hybrid mode for several hundred additional miles before refueling or recharging. The 14-mile estimate varies widely depending on conditions such as outside temperature, air conditioning use and number of weighty occupants.
Those new to driving electric plug-ins will find recharging procedures remarkably simple...and darn right habit forming. The Prius PHV took less than three hours to fully charge using a common 110-volt outlet.
Prius comes with a 20-foot-long black recharging cord. At one end is a conventional, heavy-duty three-prong head. The other connection, about the size of a multi-head garden house nozzle, plugs easily into the Prius receptacle on the driver's side front fender. When charging, a dashboard light near the windshield illuminates. Once fully charged, the light turns off.
Weather conditions the first time calculating electric mileage were humid and 92 degrees. With the air conditioner called to duty and stop-and-go traffic moving at approximately 25 miles per hour with two adults in tow, the all-electric average was a disappointing 7 miles. However, later that same day as temperature cooled, Prius PHV tackled another assignment after a full charge. Taking the 355 Tollway/290 combo from North Avenue near Glen Ellyn to Golf Road in Schaumburg, the entire 12 miles excursion was traversed at 59 miles per hour using just the pure electric mode. During the trip back, the seamless transfer from pure electric to gas-electric hybrid was only detectible via an instrument panel indicator. When Prius PHV is operates exclusively in gas-electric hybrid mode, combined city/highway fuel estimate approaches 50 mpg.
In two days of testing throughout the suburbs and once to Chicago, Prius PHV racked up 222 miles. Three full recharges were performed during this period. Using three gallons of regular unleaded (and unspecified household current), combined city/highway mileage ended up at 74 mpg; impressive no matter how it's sliced.
For those familiar with the Prius in general and the third-generation effort specifically, family resemblance remains uncanny. Once behind the wheel of the Prius PHV, it's difficult to differentiate it between the gas-electric version. A traditional instrument hub gives way to a long narrow oval window near the dash top between front residents with a large digital speedometer and graphics. Head room all around remains excellent. The four-spoke steering wheel (a subliminal "H" for hybrid perhaps?) is home to secondary audio volume and station controls. The glove box includes two, independent compartments.
When in reverse, PHV beeps aloud (audible only inside) as if mimicking a cargo van. An electronic gear shifter, located between the two front buckets, resembles an upside head of a duffer's three wood. Joystick-like movement left and up summons reverse while shifting left and down moves the continuously variable transmission (CVT) forward.
When starting Prius PHV, like the conventional Prius, the sound is golf-cart quiet. The ventilation fan makes more noise then the start up process. The gas engine does not kick in until the vehicle travels approximately 10 miles per hour when utilizing gas-electric hybrid mode. The shut down process involves the push of an electronic parking brake button next to the three wood head, prior to a push the electric-ignition on-off dashboard button.
Size wise, Prius rates as a large compact or compact mid-size, take your pick. Row two accommodates three adults thanks to ample leg room and flat floor. The hatch area includes a smallish 18.4 cubic feet of space, and no under floor compartment or spare tire since the lithium battery pack calls this region home. While lithium ion batteries utilized in PHV remain lighter in weight than the nickel-metal hydride technology, a higher quantity of lithium ion batteries are strung together in the large under floor cargo space, resulting in the PHV's heavier overall weight (about 300 pounds) when compared to a conventional Prius. As with the recently tested Chevrolet Volt, rear view mirror perception gets seemingly cut in half with the angled hatch.
Prius chooses top-notch fuel economy over opulent luxury and sporty handling. For those seeking to minimize trips to the filling stations, it's a trade off made in green heaven.
Recommendations include changing the charging cord color from black to safety orange; much easier to see at night. Also, while the instrument panels graphics remain highly enticing, the digital counter designating remaining all-electric miles needs a point size increase. While pre production models have an under-dash release button for the gas fuel tank, production models should include a button for the plug port door as well. A permanent storage home for the recharging cord is needed. The dashboard's hard plastic surface seems out of touch with recent compacts that have stepped up interior quality. While every ounce of weight saved adds to fuel economy, future Prei (plural of Prius?) may need upgraded insides.
Toyota Prius PHV
Estimated price: $30,000
Gas Engine: 1.8-liter four cylinder
Gas Engine Horsepower: 98
Battery: 5.2 kilowatt lithium Ion
Length: 175.6 inches
Width: 68.7 inches
Height: 58.7 inches
Gas tank capacity: 10.6 regular unleaded gallons
Built: Tsutsumi, Japan
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