Prius-II what's wrong with the Prius

It's a gas car, and can't plug in. It's a strong parallel hybrid, which is better than the GM mild hybrid or the weak parallel, but it's gas engine is connected to the wheels, making it prior to the electric motor.

A serial hybrid has the engine only to generate electric. While the Prius can do so, the engine starts even when you don't want it to do so.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Prius
• Plug in prius
• RAV4-EV
• EV1
• serial plug-in hybrid
• Lutz
• Wagoner

[LOLDISNEYLAND]

hey old fart. Do you really expect full electric to even exist today after all the shit it has been through in the past? You should count your blessings that the Prius demonstrates hybrid i.e. electric assisted petrol engine. One day with better battery technology i.e. corporations not owning vital patents, we will see full electric. Ridicule the holders of the battery patents not companies that try to squeeze electric cars into the market as frankenstein hybrids.

[liveoilfree]

Toota (oops, meant "yoyota" bears a lot of the guilt for killing NiMH cars. They didn't have to suck the chevron slime, they could have stood up to Big Oil. But they were wimps. Yoyota sucks.

[moaski]

Every Prius sold (other than in the North American market) has a button to the right of the steering wheel that allows the driver to choose between the internal combustion engine only or full electric drive only.

It seems that plug-in conversions in the States should be able to take advantage of this built-in system fairly easily, hence defeating another Prius pitfall?

[liveoilfree]

There is a kit to add this button.  The problem is the Prius computer turns on the engine at 34 mph; there are two motors, but the controller on the second is too small, so it's difficult to convert to a serial hybrid.

[mediadragonsolutions]

Theres nothing wrong with the Prius. The Prius was created as a result of whats on the shirt your wearing. Although engineered to be a leader in MPG, an important issue to Toyota was the vehicle also being a leader in low emissions which it is. The vehicle continues to evolve and maybe people should start thanking Toyota for being leader in this very important technology and stop whinning that their 3 gallon slurpee cup will not fit into the cup holder. Lovin my Prius!

[liveoilfree]

It's better than a gas-guzzler; but it still gets ALL its energy, ultimately, from the gas pump. Toyota is not entirely to blame for not making plug-in versions; Chevron bought control of NiMH (from GM) and sued Toyota, extracting $30 million in damages after which Toyota agreed not to use NiMH for plug-in cars.

[fullerjames12901]

the prius was kind of a step down from the rav4-ev... its a shame that toyota didn't continue to make EVs. i am, however sill a fan of the prius, as it is a very efficient, readily available car. i'm excited to get the new one this summer

[ClownFight]

Once again for the dummies.

The solar panels generate electricity from the sun during the day. Excess electricity (that which has not been used) is stored in batteries inside the house. This stored electricity is then transferred to the car OVERNIGHT ready to be used the following day. Understanding solar power management isn't rocket science though it seems to be a bit of a challenge for some.

[magna59]

As ever it a compromise....weather it be the journey you run compaired with the next mans or the deal that some car company has come to with some preditory oil company. I think we are luckey that Toyota pushed on to get it as good as it is....but there is more they can do. But if you look at the total self interest some companys show in how they buy up mass transit systems or only lease cars so they can take them back....Toyota has at least pushed the bar up some !!!!

[tnguyen318]

Heck! When i'm bored, I can run the treadmill and generate electricity while i'm exercising and charge my own battery!

[IrvingBocephus]

The 2010 manual says you cannot use a Prius to jumpstart another vehicle. I read a Cartalk article where Tom and Ray checked with Toyota in 2008 and said it could be done. Has anything changed that makes this true for 2010 or is it just Toyota lawyers doing the talking. It seems if you can jump a Prius from another car then you should be able to jump another car from a Prius. Thanks for the plugin info - not sure I want to tackle that myself, but maybe some shops may start doing it soon.

[frhotek]

well, he's right except the design was intended to test the concept and it barely qualifies for the federal rebates, tax incentives, and all. Still a money making effort was the plan. but as long as the car can go on the motor alone, we can rewrite the software; a challenge but not impossible...however, the series hybrid is a better configuration but you probably should start on another platform as this reconversion would be more work than it's worth!

[jaredernico]

@LOLDISNEYLAND LOLDISNEYLAND? Old fart? You really sound like someone who is informed.

[15725867905]

@himster22 haha no but i will say this, my wife almost bought one and instead ended up getting an H3, i hate that car too but hey, better than a prius

[himster22]

@15725867905 wow you're answer is so fucking smart, how old are you, 7?

[urbex2007]

Well said, that is why no one buys the Prius in the UK! Unless it is improved then they will stay firmly stuck in the past. Diesel technology has overtaken the prius 20 years ago.

[15725867905]

you're rong...the problem with the prius is that its a prius....An ugly piece of useless trash that make me wanna kill someone.