PRIUS PHEV TEST DRIVE

The hybrids now on the road have both a regular gasoline engine and an electric motor. When the car slows or stops, “regenerative braking” transfers the energy expended in the braking process to recharge the battery. The battery can also be recharged by the gasoline engine. The battery is powerful enough to start the car and run the car when it requires low power. This saves a lot of gas, upping the car’s mileage significantly.

Toyota’s prototype plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) Prius has a bigger battery pack and a charger. Plugging into an outlet for 3 to 4 hours charges the battery enough to start it and run it at freeway speeds for up to 7 miles. This ups the car’s mileage even more.

No major automakers have a PHEV in production or on the showroom floor but there are a wide range of prototype PHEVs and PHEV plans as well as a variety of regular hybrids adapted for plug-in charging. (See Forbes Bagatelle-Black’s excellent series on EVs and PHEVs, ELECTRIC VEHICLES..., and Marc Geller’s EV website, Plugs and Cars) Ultimately, PHEV designers aim to install batteries capable of 20, 40, 80 or more miles of battery-only operation.

The most immediately noticeable difference between the Toyota Prius PHEV and the regular Prius is the price. The PHEV will be significantly above the current Prius’ $22,000 tag. How much? That depends on how far it will go on the batteries: The farther, the bigger the price jump.

The good news is that when a PHEV is running on electricity it produces exactly zero tailpipe emissions. That means that a PHEV driving within the battery’s range limit (most drivers drive less than 40 miles/day) is emitting no pollution and making climate change no worse.

Plug-In Partners and PG&E both have great info on the PHEV. (click to enlarge)

There is a popular debate about just how much impact on overall emissions a PHEV would have. As is often pointed out, it depends on where the electricity that charges the battery comes from. When there is an abundant supply of New Energy (wind, solar, wave) on the grid, the PHEV might truly be nearly emissions-free. Where the grid is powered by coal, the PHEV’s emissions aren’t really clean.

There is only one logical conclusion. Paul Scott, co-founder, Plug-In America: “Get all your cars on the grid, then clean up the grid!”

Prius plug-in displays battery of good points
James R. Healy, January 18, 2008 (USA Today)

WHO
James R. Healy, auto industry critc; Toyota

WHAT
Healy, a car industry critic, test drives a prototype of the Toyota Prius plug-in electric vehicle (PHEV).

There is no better source of PHEV information. (click to enlarge)

WHEN
- No major automaker currently has a PHEV in production or on the showroom floor.
- Toyota will put 400 Prius PHEV in the field for real-world testing in 2009.

WHERE
The prototype Toyota used for the test drive is 1 of 8 in the U.S.

WHY
- The Prius PHEV instrument panel indicates how much battery only range the car has and when it changes to gas burning.
- Differences between commercial Prius and PHEV: electric plug attachment under gas tank-like flap on right rear fender; dashboard monitor tracking electric travel; extra batteries boost output to 136 horsepower (from 110) and add 220 pounds; peak torque instantly, meaning any EV beats even a “muscle” car off the line; PHEVs stay all-electric up to 62mph (regular Prius is all electric to 20mph); Regular Prius-48mpg, PHEV—71.3mpg.
- Similarities: roomy interior; hatchback; pleasing interior; electric power steering; on starting, a slight whine is heard because there is no engine noise;

Well to wheels? That is the question. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
- Healy: "Short trips are the forte of plug-ins… Plug-ins seem wonderful for short trips and would do no worse than regular hybrids on longer trips… Overall: Very promising technology, but how soon and how much?"
- Tony Posawatz, head, GM PHEV development: "Just because they're 'green' doesn't mean they can't be fun…"