I think the major point of the Prius is not the fuel consumption,but the fact that when it is running on the electric motor the emissions are zero.This is very important in places like Los Angeles and Tokyo,less so in the UK.
I have had a few of the MK1 Prius and they were all fault free and found ready buyers.
As far as the UK is concerned Hybrid technology may be too sophisticated,but Honda,Toyota and Ford have the models available now,with more to come.It could be a blind alley,but who would bet against world players like that?
I must say that if these systems were offered by the usual European suspects i would be concerned about their viability.
|
|
|
|
Its not really designed for the European market, its much better for the American's. Toyota don't really need to sell us any because they have massive waiting lists.
|
Agreed, it's there to help us adjust to the concept and for Toyota gain experience. I know Toyota are planning to release more hybrids based on the "standard" range, Just like Honda have produced a Civic hybrid.
|
I much enjoyed your piece on this, HJ, but it left me wanting to know more. How long do the batteries last (overall life, I mean, not per charge, although that would be useful to know, too) and how much do they cost to replace? I'm not sure I like the idea of the petrol engine starting from cold while you're rolling and leaping straight into drive mode - I'd want to warm it up!
Is there any way of charging the batteries other than with the engine? Surely it would make sense to plug the thing in at night, if that was convenient? Could you then run down to the shops and back, just on battery power?
|
|
|
|
I think the Prius is a worthwhile step in motoring technology, though its appeal is limited, partly because of the battery replacement cost mentioned earlier.
But.....
Combine Prius hybrid technology with a diesel engine instead of the petrol one used now, and what would the economy be? 80mpg? 90mpg? That sort of economy, plus electric drive at slow speeds, low tax etc. - Ideal for taxis, hire cars and delivery vans used in big cities. On a mileage of 30,000 a year the fuel saved would probably equal cost of replacing batteries every 3 years.
cheers, Sofa Spud
|
HJ,
Yes, HJ, many thanks for your test report on the Toyota Prius II. For me it made very interesting reading.
Just a couple of things occur to me that, unfortunately, you didn't make any mention of.
One was what happens about servicing it? Do I presume that there are a very limited number of Toyota Main Dealers who are especially equipped to be able to work on this vehicle, or is it that there is absolutely nothing to be done on the electric drive side, so, in actual fact, it can go into any Toyota dealer,or, come to that, once the warranty runs out, anywhere at all?
Secondly, do you happen to know whether there is anywhere where youn can hire a Prius II from, say, for a week. It would make a very interesting evaluation project, as you yourself obviously found.
Many thanks again for a very interesting report.
Galaxy
|
|
|
Combine Prius hybrid technology with a diesel engine instead of the petrol one used now, and what would the economy be? 80mpg? 90mpg?
Since even big diesels like the Citroen C5 average 50mpg with great performance anyway, so what's the point of all those nasty batteries? A car the size of the Prius with a diesel engine and no batteries to lug around would probably manage sixty-odd. This is a short term response to a very specific set of conditions.
|
"what's the point of all those nasty batteries"
So you can drive slowly or in traffic without wasting fuel or emitting anything - well, the car won't, anyway.
|
|
Exactly, to meet specific local conditions. Somehow those batteries have to be disposed of though. And there have been a couple of cases in the US of firefighters refusing to deal with accidents involving hybrids. Fire and electrocution risk are much higher apparently.
|
"..to meet specific local conditions"
I should think that most of us get to drive in traffic and through towns. Being able to switch off a petrol or diesel engine that is spending most if its time idling and proceed on battery power is a significant benefit, both to the user, who isn't wasting fuel, and to the pedestrian, who isn't breathing its by-products.
A means to dispose of the batteries should be devised as soon as there are enough of them...
|
|
|
|
|
But..... Combine Prius hybrid technology with a diesel engine instead of the petrol one used now, and what would the economy be? 80mpg? 90mpg? That sort of economy, plus electric drive at slow speeds, low tax etc. - Ideal for taxis, hire cars and delivery vans used in big cities. On a mileage of 30,000 a year the fuel saved would probably equal cost of replacing batteries every 3 years.
I read somewhere that Toyota considered that a diesel engine did not sit comfortably with the aim of cutting down on emissions; which is one of the main aims of the Prius
|
|
|
|
|
|
