How to turn a Prius into a Plug-in hybrid

[ekpolk]

Bob:

I'm right with you. I really like my Prius, and it's performance, which was probably the best Toyota could do at the time they released the product. I sincerely hope that in 10-15 years, the current Prius will be considered a guzzler. As soon as the next generation car appears (or the Volt, or other players as they appear), I'll be doing the math in light of my situation, to determine if and when I should go out and buy one of those.

 

[ekpolk]

Originally Posted By: bob_ninja
...
That being said, due to escalating fuel costs (with no end in sight) there will also be a huge need for pure electric transport. We are talking about simple short trips, like for groceries, to work, etc. The electric power from grid is and will remain *MUCH* cheaper for a long time. Therefore, a lot of people will want a simple vehicle for simple short trips than involve no gasoline...


Of course, right now, grid power is cheaper than gasoline, though how much is hard to determine given some variables that must be nailed down carefully (how much juice used per distance, efficiency of use, etc.). What concerns me is how some folks seem to think that the juice from the grid is somehow a freebie. It's not. And I suspect some plug-in users are or will be surprised when they realize that their plug-in car is sucking a little more out of the grid than a lamp or toaster does...

 

[bob_ninja]

Originally Posted By: ekpolk
Bob:

I'm right with you. I really like my Prius, and it's performance, which was probably the best Toyota could do at the time they released the product. I sincerely hope that in 10-15 years, the current Prius will be considered a guzzler. As soon as the next generation car appears (or the Volt, or other players as they appear), I'll be doing the math in light of my situation, to determine if and when I should go out and buy one of those.


ditto
"Prius guzzler"

LOL

 

[bob_ninja]

Originally Posted By: ekpolk
Originally Posted By: bob_ninja
...
That being said, due to escalating fuel costs (with no end in sight) there will also be a huge need for pure electric transport. We are talking about simple short trips, like for groceries, to work, etc. The electric power from grid is and will remain *MUCH* cheaper for a long time. Therefore, a lot of people will want a simple vehicle for simple short trips than involve no gasoline...


Of course, right now, grid power is cheaper than gasoline, though how much is hard to determine given some variables that must be nailed down carefully (how much juice used per distance, efficiency of use, etc.). What concerns me is how some folks seem to think that the juice from the grid is somehow a freebie. It's not. And I suspect some plug-in users are or will be surprised when they realize that their plug-in car is sucking a little more out of the grid than a lamp or toaster does...


ditto

However, electricity supply at home has several options unlike gasoline. At some point when solar panels become cheaper we'll have the option of installing our own private electricity supply from panels. I am afrad no such option exists for fuel.

So electric is more long term sustainable. Even in the worst case of grid failure you could still charge EV from your solar.

However, for the time being EVs will be expensive until the battery production ramps up to huge volume.