To ensure that the new, third-generation Prius hybrid gets 50 miles per gallon (21 kilometers per liter) combined in EPA tests, Toyota engineers smoothed the aerodynamics of the familiar egg-shaped exterior while squeezing every bit of energy efficiency from the hybrid power train, which combines a gasoline engine, an electric motor and a battery, says Prius chief engineer Akihino Otsuka....[More]
HIGHEST-MILEAGE FOUR-DOOR SEDAN
To ensure that the new, third-generation Prius hybrid gets 50 miles per gallon (21 kilometers per liter) combined in EPA tests, Toyota engineers smoothed the aerodynamics of the familiar egg-shaped exterior while squeezing every bit of energy efficiency from the hybrid power train, which combines a gasoline engine, an electric motor and a battery, says Prius chief engineer Akihino Otsuka. Low rolling-resistance tires and regenerative brakes help, as well. During a recent test, my driving partner and I got substantially higher than 50 mpg in a "hyper-miling" exercise [see the last item].
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COURTESY OF TOYOTA
OPTIMIZED HYBRID POWER TRAIN
To raise the fuel economy of the Prius's time-tested Toyota Synergy Drive propulsion system, Otsuka's team reworked 90 percent of it. The enlarged high-efficiency engine, he says, boosts highway mileage because the power plant's greater torque output allows it to run at lower average rotations per minute at high speeds and thus consume less fuel....[More]
OPTIMIZED HYBRID POWER TRAIN
To raise the fuel economy of the Prius's time-tested Toyota Synergy Drive propulsion system, Otsuka's team reworked 90 percent of it. The enlarged high-efficiency engine, he says, boosts highway mileage because the power plant's greater torque output allows it to run at lower average rotations per minute at high speeds and thus consume less fuel. The other hybrid components, such as the inverter, which converts DC to AC power, are smaller and 20 percent lighter than those in the predecessor model. The only major element that is not new is the battery. Otsuka asserts that "the nickel metal–hydride battery is still good," adding that more work is needed to understand the performance of next-generation lithium ion batteries.
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FUEL-SAVING DRIVING
The desire to encourage motorists to adopt economical driving habits led Toyota to develop dashboard displays that provide real-time feedback on fuel and energy consumption....[More]
FUEL-SAVING DRIVING
The desire to encourage motorists to adopt economical driving habits led Toyota to develop dashboard displays that provide real-time feedback on fuel and energy consumption. Motorists can choose to switch from normal driving operation to a gas-saving "Eco" mode, which cuts gasoline use by dampening the engine's throttle response, Otsuka says. An "EV" (aka "sneak home") mode provides almost a mile of silent, battery-only power; and a "Power" setting is for sporty or mountain driving.
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MAINSTREAM CAR
Despite the new vehicle's green focus, "We're happy if the customer thinks of the Prius as a regular midsize sedan," chief engineer Otsuka says....[More]
MAINSTREAM CAR
Despite the new vehicle's green focus, "We're happy if the customer thinks of the Prius as a regular midsize sedan," chief engineer Otsuka says. To do so, his team addressed several shortcomings of the previous Prius model, such as inadequate rear seat headroom for tall passengers and marginally comfortable seats. Today the Toyota Prius is one of the company's three top-selling models, demonstrating that hybrid automotive technology has truly gone mainstream.
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SYMBOLIC SOLAR
In keeping with the car's ecofriendly theme, the new Prius includes solar power. An optional moonroof incorporates silicon solar cells that power an air-circulation fan/vent that lessens the need for air-conditioning on start-up....[More]
SYMBOLIC SOLAR
In keeping with the car's ecofriendly theme, the new Prius includes solar power. An optional moonroof incorporates silicon solar cells that power an air-circulation fan/vent that lessens the need for air-conditioning on start-up. Toyota engineers originally studied using the 59-watt solar array to (at least symbolically) recharge the 1,300 watt-hour hybrid battery, but hit an unexpected roadblock. When the solar panel is connected to the battery, the rooftop device acts as an antenna, radiating electrical noise that interferes with nearby radios and mobile phones.
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GREEN PLASTICS
Another nod to environmental concerns is the Prius's use of "ecoplastics" in certain components such as scuff grids, side trim and seat cushions....[More]
GREEN PLASTICS
Another nod to environmental concerns is the Prius's use of "ecoplastics" in certain components such as scuff grids, side trim and seat cushions. Composed of recyclable polymers made with 15 percent plant-based oils from corn and castor beans, ecoplastic parts emit roughly 20 percent less carbon dioxide over their entire life cycle when compared with the overall CO2 output of their petroleum-derived counterparts, Toyota estimates.
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HAND–EYE COORDINATION
The new Prius comes equipped with a device called a "Touch Tracer Display" that eases the use of the steering wheel–mounted controls that set audio volume, radio frequency, cabin temperature and the like....[More]
HAND–EYE COORDINATION
The new Prius comes equipped with a device called a "Touch Tracer Display" that eases the use of the steering wheel–mounted controls that set audio volume, radio frequency, cabin temperature and the like. When the driver taps one of the two iPod-like thumb wheels on the steering wheel, an analogous 3-D graphic pops up on the instrument panel that visually confirms each tactile input. This enhancement may finally make driving-wheel controls convenient enough to actually use regularly.
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PRIUS FIGHTER
Even though Honda's all new Insight hybrid is smaller than the midsize Prius, many observers consider the Insight to be the Prius' biggest competitor....[More]
PRIUS FIGHTER
Even though Honda's all new Insight hybrid is smaller than the midsize Prius, many observers consider the Insight to be the Prius' biggest competitor. The fact that Toyota has reportedly slashed the Prius's price by as much as $4,000 to match the Insight's $20,000 price tag seems to confirm that view. The Insight, a five-door, five-passenger model, has an EPA rating of 40 miles per gallon (17 kilometers per liter) city and 43 mpg (18 kpl) highway.
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PRETTY COOL PRECOOLING
A wireless remote control for the Prius' air-conditioning system enables motorists to cool the interior of the parked vehicle before entry, a handy item when hot weather makes entering the cabin nearly unbearable....[More]
PRETTY COOL PRECOOLING
A wireless remote control for the Prius' air-conditioning system enables motorists to cool the interior of the parked vehicle before entry, a handy item when hot weather makes entering the cabin nearly unbearable. Power for operation of the A-C system is drawn from the hybrid battery, which allows the car to expend less energy at the outset of driving.
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MOUNTING THE MILES
Driving to maximize fuel economy is called "hyper-miling". During a test drive last month in Napa Valley, Calif., my driving partner and I managed to get more than 72 miles per gallon (30 kilometers per liter) by setting our Prius to "Eco" mode, driving ridiculously slow, coasting when possible, taking sharp curves faster than normal, and even trying to draft behind other vehicles....[More]
MOUNTING THE MILES
Driving to maximize fuel economy is called "hyper-miling". During a test drive last month in Napa Valley, Calif., my driving partner and I managed to get more than 72 miles per gallon (30 kilometers per liter) by setting our Prius to "Eco" mode, driving ridiculously slow, coasting when possible, taking sharp curves faster than normal, and even trying to draft behind other vehicles. We do not recommend some of the more extreme hyper-miling measures, but it was quite instructive and even amusing to extract more miles from the same quantity of gasoline.
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COURTESY OF TOYOTA
YES! Send me a free issue of Scientific American with no obligation to continue the subscription. If I like it, I will be billed for the one-year subscription.
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1. Samadams
08:35 PM 4/16/09
I own a 2005 BMW 3 series and my wife owns a 2008 Altima Hybrid. I an very impressed with that car. I can get upper 30's in the city and she gets mid 30's. It is also very peppy if not powerful and handles well. The Prius at the time was a slug on acceleration, too small and drove brain dead.Everything I have read about the new Prius says that Toyata addressed those issues. I am chomping at the bit and when the become available I will take one out to see if it is really as good as the critics say. My BMW is small and gets 17MPG in the city. I will gladly give up a little luxury if the Prius lives up to its billing.
Expressing your fuel economy in MPG or km per litre makes it hard to compare vehicles. Litres per hundred kilometres is a far more meaningful measure.
Does anyone have the figures on the CO2 and energy consumed from cradle to grave of one of these high-tech vehicles? How does the cost to build, run for a realistic life, then dispose of all the batteries etc, compare with an equivalent conventional vehicle?
I am 49 years old and have been driving used small foreign cars since i was 15 yrs old. The best gas miliage i got was 40 mpg from a 1984 honda hatchback. Do you mean to tell me that 50 mpg is the best any car co. can do with all the innovations and super smart engineers in in 25 years???? PPLLLLEEEASE gimme a break. Sounds like detroit is teaching the foreign manufacturers the how to's of marketing.
Awesome New Scientist, now how about adding some journalistic integrity? You cannot source a story with only Toyota sources. Prius is a loosing venture for Toyota. At the end of the day, sales of Toyota SUV's is subsidizing Prius sales. Steve Milloy has plenty of documentation towards that.
Also, the battery of Prius' dies after about 100.000 miles. I have friends who have owned 3 Prius' by now and can attest to as much. The battery life is the least environmentally friendly about hybrids like Prius.
So my friends at New Scientist, I love your reporting, I read it every day, but I do not care how large the Toyota insert is in the next number. This style of reporting is way below anything I was ever taught in Journalism School, and the standards at Mizzou was high....
lenepus: "Steve Milloy has plenty of documentation towards that."
Anybody who takes Milloy seriously has zero critical thinking skills. He's a known shill whose so-called arguments have been thoroughly debunked for years. There's a web site called "Google.com" -- I suggest you learn how to use it. You might learn something beyond what you see on Fox News.
Oh, and the magazine is Scientific American, not New Scientist.
Too bad that in "Journalism school", they didn't bother to teach you grammar. ...or elementary reading comprehension skills. I especially love your concluding "...and the standards at Mizzou was high." I'm sure they'd be proud of you.
The batteries of the Prius don't last forever? I thought they would. I thought that even though the batteries in any car I've ever owned have never lasted more than a couple years, the batteries in the prius would somehow last for all eternity, and go a million miles. I had no idea that battery technology wasn't already enjoying the hundred years of use-specific refinement the ICE engine has. I'm shocked and outraged, as any Fox news fan is. ..about everything in the world, of which I know next to nothing.
Anyone who has observed Toyota over the years can recognise that the Prius is a learning exercise. It allows Toyota to get real world experience of the hybrid drivetrain. Until plug-in hybrids come along, there are much simpler ways of reducing fuel consumption. That is why the Prius sells poorly in Europe. It is a very sensible policy for Toyota but the only reason for anyone to buy one is to be fashionable.
I owned a 1989 VW Quantum Turbo Diesel (same car as the Audi 4000) and put over 200,000 miles on it driving throughout GA, AL, TN, and SC during the 90's. I AVERAGED slightly over 50 MPG, city and highway driving, with and without the A/C, and I still have all the fuel receipts to prove it. This was the standard 4 cyl. , 2000 cc VW Diesel and box stock. It had plenty of pep (comparable to a gasoline engine) and handled exceptionally well, with power windows, sunroof & doors and a great Blaupunt radio. I've owned several VW Diesels, Rabbits and a Turbo Diesel Jetta (same basic engine, no turbo on the Rabbits), but none gave the mileage the Quantum did. So WHAT is all the fuss about 50 MPG?? It was available in 1989, and I presume the "technology" is still available.
I would like to see a full life cycle analysis of the Prius, including the costs of replacing the batteries etc. The key is how much does it costs per mile travelled, including capital costs. I've got a tough time believing that the required energy conversions and their inherent losses (fossil fuel of any type to electricity and back again) are really an efficient use of fuel.
As a feel good story, the Prius is a hit, but I doubt that it will have any lasting impact on the automobile market.
12. frgough
in reply to discipline01:18 PM 4/17/09
The moment I hear some one say something like "beyond what you see on Fox News," I know I'm dealing with a closed-minded bigot wrapped up in his own sense of moral superiority.
I'm approaching four years' ownership of my 2005 Prius and am puzzled by some of the earlier comments. - Low acceleration? I don't know what you're used to but my Prius has more pep than I need, and more than most other cars I've owned. I usually give it just enough gas to keep up with other cars around me, and keep one eye on the MPG display to try to keep the bar as high as I can. If you're looking for drag-racer performance maybe you should be in a different car, and off the street.
- Too small? My Prius seats five adults and they're comfortable even in the back seat. No complaints.
I've owned many cars in 49 years and my Prius is the first one I can say I'm delighted with.
Just a me too. I drive a 1999 Mazda 626 turbo diesel. It averages 47 mpg (20 km/l) with A/C and offers plenty of room for 4 tall people (I'm 6'5"). So no the Prius is not exceptionally frugal. However, it should be exceptional when driven exclusively in city traffic.
Well, 59 mpg cruising 50 mph down rural secondary roads in warm weather humid (less air drag) states is a big difference from 50 mpg in metropolitan slow and go. And I do not doubt that lightweight, pre NTHSA, pre EPA Teir 2 Bin5 Diesels could do that. But they still were poor in stop and go on the order of 30 mpg then. The Prius, and you can check the EPA website on this, is the first car to have better City mileage than Highway mileage. Which is the way it should be, because your not blowing away the BTU heating the air at 30 mph.
And this comparison "what I got" to the EPA ratings is total baloney too. Best full tank mileage I have ever had is 70.2 mpg in my 2006 Prius. But we all know the modern EPA ratings for that car is 46 mg. Using that ratio, the "1984 honda hatchback" is at 26.2 mpg compared to the 2010 Prius 50 mpg - nearly 100 % improvement. Again, this is not totally scientifc, but at least an attempt to be.
The Prius battery cost $3K installed ($2.4K uninstalled). Its designed to last 150K miles (per the CARB state regulation). The result is a doubling of mileage from 25 to 50 mpg in actual service in a metropolitan area driving regime.
$3000/150000mi is 2 cents per mile. A 25 mpg car uses .04 gallons per mile. A 50 mpg car uses .02 gallons per mile. .04-.02 is .02 gallons saved per mile. So, as long as gasoline is more that $1.00 per gallon, the battery is cheaper. At present we are over twice that cost for gasoline here, and since 2006 have been as expensive as 4.5 times that.
Besides this, the transmission is much simpler and more reliable. This reliability is compounded in that the multifuncionalism permitted by the Prius design eliminates the need for seperate engine starter and alternator, which are the two most common parts to fail on cars.
The braking down to 7 mph is electric - meaning Prius friction brakes last well past 100 K miles.
Yes energy conversions always have a penalty associated with them. But what most people are unfamiliar with is how poor the Otto Cycle internal combustion engine (what is in most cars) is in low power operation. And in fact, these engines have about 1/2 their best efficiency at the power levels needed for everyday driving. This is a well known problem - the Partial Power Problem, and its due to the aerodynmic losses within the engine when the throttle valve is partially closed. A typical Otto engine has a peak efficiency of 25%, and down less than 15 % in normal driving. This alone results in a plus for the Hybrid approach. Additionally, the Prius uses an Atkinson (Miller Valve Train) Engine, which is 30% efficient optimally, but at low powers above 12 HP, is still at least 25 % efficient. This engine is impractical without the electric assist in the Prius, however.
Another issue is braking and downhill. When a car slows down for braking, that energy is wasted in friction brakes. In a Hybrid its partially recovered - about 85 % in the present Prius. Also, when you drive up a hill , then down the backside in a city driving enviorment, the engine is just idling, and you may even need to use the brakes. In a Prius, the engine turns off automatically, and the downhill energy goes into the battery. Coming off long off-ramps is where its common for Prius drivers to see their batteries topped off. Hills are not similuated in the EPA testing, which is why its common for the average driver to see better fuel economy in service in a Prius, than the EPA rating. BTW, Air Drag is simulated in the EPA testing.
Hybrids have been studied because of the Partial Power Problem, and because Otto engines also have poor torque at low RPM (while electric motors have complimentary high torque at low RPM) for many years. Ferdinand Porshe designed an electric Hybrid Car in the 1920's.
I have 06 Prius and it is the best car I have ever owned.
I agree with many points Donee made. I will try to address all the comments that made prior.
Samadams, you probably tried 2001-03 Prius. 2004-09 Prius is very well equipped with luxury features, probably more than your 2003 BMW has. It is also mid-size by interior size and most likely bigger than your 03 BMW as well. Check out a list of current 09 available options and interior room. This new 2010 Prius will have even more advanced options. LED headlamp, solar panel, radar assist cruise control, parallel parking assist, lane keep assist, exhaust heat recovery, touch tracer, etc.. Many new Lexus technology.
ajft64, in term of CO2 the Prius effect starts on the 3rd oil change. It takes a little more energy to build Prius but Prius comes out ahead after 12,000 miles. Google "Prius life cycle". http://1.bp.blogspot.com /_GY2_Nq3mtsg/SbMplDbneRI/AAAAAAAAADs/tCiTslQq7vY/s1600-h/Prius_II_Green_Report.jpg
geauxp, your 25 years old mini car does not meet today's safety requirement. Manual labor transmission with underpowered anemic single engine does not cut it today. My suggestion to you is to go and test drive a Prius. What you need to see and experience is sitting there.
lenepus, Toyota announced 8 years ago that they were making profit in every Prius they sold. Your friend probably got 3 new battery packs because it is covered under the warranty. HV battery pack is less expensive than the automatic transmission and AT is not covered under 10 years / 150k miles warranty. Heck, not even the gas engine is covered that long. Do you still consider a car with AT or a hybrid with eCVT?
hotblack, the first Prius was made 12 years ago and the first one arrived in the US 8 years ago. HV battery has been proven to be extremely reliable. You need to know the difference between how a hybrid use/recharge the battery and any other electronic devices. Prius keeps the battery at the optimal range using only 1/3 of the available energy (so it last beyond 10 years / 150k miles). Whereas, a laptop (for example), charge to full and drain to zero. You may not be aware of it but that's the abuse.
Forlornehope, Prius is less of a hit in Europe is because Diesel is cheaper than gasoline over there. There are also a lot of misinformation especially from the popular Top Gear TV program. 95% of the Prius owners are satisfy and will not go back to single engine that require gears to shift. Prius has a fixed gear and it is always in "top" gear. Since Prius has two power sources, it shifts between electric and gas. Electric for low speed high torque and Atkinson cycle gas engine is used mainly on the high speed cruising.
lowndesw,
In 2008, EPA revised a new MPG testing standard. If you want to compare, 2010 Prius is rated at 61 MPG with pre-2008 method. Your 20 years old TDI is not safe for you (would fail in today's crash test) and your emission is threat to all of us.
The question of total energy cost, "from cradle to grave", quickly leads to an interesting conundrum:
Every single car has an AVERAGE energy cost per mile, and a TOTAL energy cost over its lifetime. The average cost per mile drops with every mile driven, while the total cost rises with every mile driven.
Which number is more important? It's a trick question: what matters is the total energy cost of 6 billion+ people. (And "cost" includes the externalities). This suggests that we should focus first on improving vehicles that are driven the most -- taxis, buses, big rigs, and planes, and on the entire transportation system.
Commmenter seawolf says that the crossover point for the Prius is only 12,000 miles. After that, BOTH the average energy cost per mile and the total energy cost are lower than a comparable non-hybrid.
Thanks to seawolf and donee for useful info, clearly delivered. And thanks to Toyota engineers for improving their hybrid yet again.
Hybrids aren't going to save the planet. Anyone who says they're saving the planet while they have their foot on the gas pedal of any car (hybrid or otherwise) is full of ****. If you want to save the planet, put your car in the garage.
24. usbseawolf2000
in reply to archwayold01:57 PM 4/19/09
archwayold,
The idea is not to change back to the way of the cavemen. Hybrids moved all of us forward to the right direction. The idea is to lessen the impact on the environment without any compromises to our modern everyday lives.
70-90% reduction in CO2 emission, half the fuel consumption, lower total cost of the ownership, plus many more hybrid-only premium features. It is a win-win solution.
The high voltage battery is warranted for 100,000 miles, 150,000 miles in California and other CARB rule states. Prius taxis in San Francisco are "miled out" at 300,000 miles and report that most of their batteries have lasted that long (major cause of shorter lives is reported to be collision damage not related to being hybrid). There are Prius taxis in New York approaching 400,000 miles. The HV battery is made up of a large number of individual cells which can be monitored for condition, but there have apparently not been enough failures to make it worth much to go into that business. The HV battery is pretty well protected in a collision, so the HV battery is available used for much less than new (about $3,000 new).
Hybrid unique components (including the HV "traction" battery) are recycleable just as are the rest of the components. Someone tried to show that a Hummer would have less environmental impact - per pound and assuming a 400,000 mile life for the Hummer.
The Prius is a mid-size four-door sedan (plus hatch-back, leading to some quibbles).
Comparison with significantly smaller and older cars is not fair - I owned a 1956 Porsche 356C coupe that sometimes got over 40 mpg, but it was about 2 1/2 passenger with a small trunk and the only pollution device was a crankcase breather (which may have improved mileage slightly). It didn't care for some brands of "regular" gasoline.
I really cannot see why people are so hyped up about the Prius achieving 50MPG. I own a 2000 Audi A6 1.9tdi. Recently on a long run I averaged (according to the trip computer) 68.9 MPG. My average around city is about 40. What's the big deal. Hydrogen is the way to go.
China is the fastest growing market for automobile. They would disagree with your suggestion to put the cars in the garage.
mackerirl,
You must be from Europe. US Gallon is smaller than Empirical Gallon. The current Prius (46 US MPG) gets 65 MPG in the European combined test cycle. The new 2010 Prius should get even more.
Do you have the overall average MPG all year round? We need to avoid cherry picking the data.
BTW, according to wikipedia, your car is 2 seconds slower than the Prius in 0-100 kmh.
Diesel fuel contains significantly more energy per gallon than gasoline, and creates more CO2 emissions per gallon. Coincidentally, it costs far more in the US than gasoline. Most US customers don't appreciate the smell or clatter of a diesel car either. So its apples to oranges, friend.
A gallon of diesel fuel contains significantly more energy than a gallon of gas, and produces significantly more CO2. It also costs more in the US. Most US drivers don't appreciate the smell, smoke, or clatter of diesel engines (yes, even the new ones). So, its apples to oranges, friend.
I owned a '94 Acura Integra for 12 years before I bought my 2006 Prius. No, neither car has the "prestige reputation" of other brands like BMW, Mercedes, etc., but my choice each time was based on reliability. With the reported reliability of some "Prestige Brands," you could not pay me to drive one. The Integra was extremely reliable, and in the nearly three-years I've owned the Prius, I have had no problems with it.
When I hear people try to claim that the battery lasts only 100K miles, I think "shill." Anyone considering buying a Prius should investigate for themselves. There are "US Gen I" Prii out there that have in excess of 200K miles on the original battery. Your mileage may vary; IMHO, 200K+ miles says quite a bit.
As to power on the road, I don't understand why people seem to think that you need a rocket engine in your car. I do not see it that way; however, as I see it, my 2006 Prius is on par with my '94 Integra. The electric motor has 274 ft-lbs of torque which puts it on par with some pickup trucks. As torque can be described as the ability to accelerate, if you floor my Prius, it goes. In fact, I have beaten jerks in souped-up Accords and kept pace with another jerk in one of the sporty new Chrysler models much to the dismay of those drivers. :) More recently, I don't bother with such jerks. Its just not worth it.
What about gas mileage, you might ask? Well, I somewhat hypermile, but I am not what I would consider an extreme hypermiler. In the winter, when the ICE must run to heat the cabin, I get my worst city mileage ~37 MPG. In the summer, when I do not have to run the ICE for heat, I get my best city mileage. Last summer, that was 60 MPG. IMHO, anyone willing to learn how to use the car like any good tool - i.e., drive it in a manner that makes full use of its energy saving features, can get this mileage without going to extreme hypermiling lengths.
The car is, IMHO, a superb car. I sold the original tires on e-bay and bought a fantastic set of severe weather rated, low-rolling resistance tires - Nokian WRs.
It handles much like my Integra, it is extremely quiet in the cabin which makes it a pleasure to drive on long trips, and I have had five adults in the car at one time. Some of those were large and did not complain about having no room. I could not have done that with the Integra.
My bet is that I could easily get the 72MPG figure spoken of in the article, and I would love the EV mode for some of the short distance driving that I do, but I am waiting for the plug-in version.
I owned a '94 Acura Integra for 12 years before I bought my 2006 Prius. No, neither car has the "prestige reputation" of other brands like BMW, Mercedes, etc., but my choice each time was based on reliability. With the reported reliability of some "Prestige Brands," you could not pay me to drive one. The Integra was extremely reliable, and in the nearly three-years I've owned the Prius, I have had no problems with it.
When I hear people try to claim that the battery lasts only 100K miles, I think "shill." Anyone considering buying a Prius should investigate for themselves. There are "US Gen I" Prii out there that have in excess of 200K miles on the original battery. Your mileage may vary; IMHO, 200K+ miles says quite a bit.
As to power on the road, I don't understand why people seem to think that you need a rocket engine in your car. I do not see it that way; however, as I see it, my 2006 Prius is on par with my '94 Integra. The electric motor has 274 ft-lbs of torque which puts it on par with some pickup trucks. As torque can be described as the ability to accelerate, if you floor my Prius, it goes. In fact, I have beaten jerks in souped-up Accords and kept pace with another jerk in one of the sporty new Chrysler models much to the dismay of those drivers. :) More recently, I don't bother with such jerks. Its just not worth it.
What about gas mileage, you might ask? Well, I somewhat hypermile, but I am not what I would consider an extreme hypermiler. In the winter, when the ICE must run to heat the cabin, I get my worst city mileage ~37 MPG. In the summer, when I do not have to run the ICE for heat, I get my best city mileage. Last summer, that was 60 MPG. IMHO, anyone willing to learn how to use the car like any good tool - i.e., drive it in a manner that makes full use of its energy saving features, can get this mileage without going to extreme hypermiling lengths.
The car is, IMHO, a superb car. I sold the original tires on e-bay and bought a fantastic set of severe weather rated, low-rolling resistance tires - Nokian WRs.
It handles much like my Integra, it is extremely quiet in the cabin which makes it a pleasure to drive on long trips, and I have had five adults in the car at one time. Some of those were large and did not complain about having no room. I could not have done that with the Integra.
My bet is that I could easily get the 72MPG figure spoken of in the article, and I would love the EV mode for some of the short distance driving that I do, but I am waiting for the plug-in version.
It would be interesting to see a true cradle to grave comparison between the overall energy/waste impact of a Prius and one of the older, 50+ mpg diesel small cars that used to be available (note that I am not sure these are available anymore outside VW).
The best document I have seen is http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/k_forum/tenji/pdf/pgr_e.pdf
Mind the kiddie presentation. Yes, you need to install the font if the PDF ask you to. The comparison is only against the gas version. Sorry, no diesel in comparison.
Nice multi-page advertising for Toyota. I would prefer the simplicity and economy of a diesel. In Europe, carmakers sell diesels with better fuel economy than the Prius. I recall the brochures for the 1979 diesel VW Rabbit that got 50 mpg, so after 30 years, where's the progress?
Progress is in faster acceleration, safety and creature comfort.
Even in Europe, the Diesel cars that get about the same MPG as the Prius, are tiny (a couple of classes smaller).
Toyota sells Diesels in Europe too. There is a reason they are not bringing over here in US. Emission is not low enough and the fuel cost more than gasoline here.
The Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) battery is considered mature technology in the computer, pocket PC and mobile telephone markets. There is a comparatively new car company in California called Tesla Motors that is already manufacturing purely electric Tesla Roadster sports cars; these cars use Li-Ion batteries giving a range of 244 miles (390km) on a single charge, and 0 to 60mph (96kmph) in 3.9 seconds. For more information visit: http://www.teslamotors.com/
I am surprised Toyota has not licensed Tesla Motor's Li-Ion battery technology for use in the Prius. If Toyota wanted to research what I'd consider a truly next generation battery, why aren't they looking at Lithium polymer technology? The Lithium polymer batteries promise at least the same energy as existing Lithium Ion batteries of the same Amp-hour capacity with much less weight.
Tesla Motors was founded by an electrical engineer who used to design Li-Ion power electronics for Pocket PCs and mobile 'phones. Perhaps Honda, Lexus and Toyota require a paradigm shift in their thinking about electric power for automobiles?
I agree with a previous comment that Hydrogen is the way to go. People who travel to Europe from Australia tell me BMW is gradually developing a Hydrogen fuel infrastructure with government support, and are setting up Hydrogen filling stations. Canada, Japan, the United States of America and Australia should learn from the example set by BMW and Europe, before we can expect growing economies like China and India to follow suit.
Technology for the extraction of Hydrogen from water using sunlight as the only energy source has already been developed by the University of New South Wales. Now that the technologies for Li polymer and the low energy cost extraction of Hydrogen from water have been invented and only require the political will to implement these on a gradual basis, there is no longer any excuse; we can save Planet Earth if we really want to.
For further information on the Hydrogen extraction from water using sunligh and titanium oxide ceramics, please visit: http://www.unsw.edu.au/news/pad/articles/2004/aug/Solar_hydrogenMNE.html
Note the article was writen in late 2004 and the prediction the technology will be a reality within seven years; the seven year deadline will arrive within 3 years from now.
39. 2005whitesox
in reply to lowndesw11:09 PM 4/22/09
I am AMAZED at everyone's "where is the technology for 50mpg?" questions... the answer is this: as emissions standards get tighter and tighter, the fuel economy goes down. there were 40mpg cars available in the 1970's and they were not known as economy cars. sheesh so many uneducated educated people! remember this: those who think they know everything are the greatest fools of all!
What about the claims that the prius and other hybrids expend more energy and carbon dioxide emissions in the making that using them is not really green at all?
2010 Prius underside is like a piece of art. They covered up to make it more aerodynamic. There are two fins as well for the extra stability at high speed.
I will keep my 2006 Impala SS, I can get 99MPG+ coasting down hill also! If on flat ground at 70mph, I can get 30+MPG and if I so desire, blow the doors off any Hibrid!
My 2006 Prius gets 30 MPG going uphill (on Williamsburg bridge) at about 45 MPH. Of course going back down uses no gas so it averages 60 MPG. See the video at 2:15. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjdUr2BD6R4
In traffic congestions (jams), I constantly get 70+ MPG. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5629875641973044508
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47 Comments
Add CommentI own a 2005 BMW 3 series and my wife owns a 2008 Altima Hybrid. I an very impressed with that car. I can get upper 30's in the city and she gets mid 30's. It is also very peppy if not powerful and handles well. The Prius at the time was a slug on acceleration, too small and drove brain dead.Everything I have read about the new Prius says that Toyata addressed those issues. I am chomping at the bit and when the become available I will take one out to see if it is really as good as the critics say. My BMW is small and gets 17MPG in the city. I will gladly give up a little luxury if the Prius lives up to its billing.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisExpressing your fuel economy in MPG or km per litre makes it hard to compare vehicles. Litres per hundred kilometres is a far more meaningful measure.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisDoes anyone have the figures on the CO2 and energy consumed from cradle to grave of one of these high-tech vehicles? How does the cost to build, run for a realistic life, then dispose of all the batteries etc, compare with an equivalent conventional vehicle?
I am 49 years old and have been driving used small foreign cars since i was 15 yrs old. The best gas miliage i got was 40 mpg from a 1984 honda hatchback. Do you mean to tell me that 50 mpg is the best any car co. can do with all the innovations and super smart engineers in in 25 years???? PPLLLLEEEASE gimme a break. Sounds like detroit is teaching the foreign manufacturers the how to's of marketing.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThat's the question I've made myself for a long time.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhat's re ecological global cost of one of these vehicles...?
I mean, the Sum of all processes, materials and energy cost, from building one to the final disposal of it's of one of theses vehicles ...?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAwesome New Scientist, now how about adding some journalistic integrity? You cannot source a story with only Toyota sources. Prius is a loosing venture for Toyota. At the end of the day, sales of Toyota SUV's is subsidizing Prius sales. Steve Milloy has plenty of documentation towards that.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAlso, the battery of Prius' dies after about 100.000 miles. I have friends who have owned 3 Prius' by now and can attest to as much. The battery life is the least environmentally friendly about hybrids like Prius.
So my friends at New Scientist, I love your reporting, I read it every day, but I do not care how large the Toyota insert is in the next number. This style of reporting is way below anything I was ever taught in Journalism School, and the standards at Mizzou was high....
lenepus: "Steve Milloy has plenty of documentation towards that."
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAnybody who takes Milloy seriously has zero critical thinking skills. He's a known shill whose so-called arguments have been thoroughly debunked for years. There's a web site called "Google.com" -- I suggest you learn how to use it. You might learn something beyond what you see on Fox News.
Oh, and the magazine is Scientific American, not New Scientist.
Too bad that in "Journalism school", they didn't bother to teach you grammar. ...or elementary reading comprehension skills. I especially love your concluding "...and the standards at Mizzou was high." I'm sure they'd be proud of you.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe batteries of the Prius don't last forever? I thought they would. I thought that even though the batteries in any car I've ever owned have never lasted more than a couple years, the batteries in the prius would somehow last for all eternity, and go a million miles. I had no idea that battery technology wasn't already enjoying the hundred years of use-specific refinement the ICE engine has. I'm shocked and outraged, as any Fox news fan is. ..about everything in the world, of which I know next to nothing.
Frickin goofball.
Anyone who has observed Toyota over the years can recognise that the Prius is a learning exercise. It allows Toyota to get real world experience of the hybrid drivetrain. Until plug-in hybrids come along, there are much simpler ways of reducing fuel consumption. That is why the Prius sells poorly in Europe. It is a very sensible policy for Toyota but the only reason for anyone to buy one is to be fashionable.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI owned a 1989 VW Quantum Turbo Diesel (same car as the Audi 4000) and put over 200,000 miles on it driving throughout GA, AL, TN, and SC during the 90's. I AVERAGED slightly over 50 MPG, city and highway driving, with and without the A/C, and I still have all the fuel receipts to prove it.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThis was the standard 4 cyl. , 2000 cc VW Diesel and box stock. It had plenty of pep (comparable to a gasoline engine) and handled exceptionally well, with power windows, sunroof & doors and a great Blaupunt radio. I've owned several VW Diesels, Rabbits and a Turbo Diesel Jetta (same basic engine, no turbo on the Rabbits), but none gave the mileage the Quantum did.
So WHAT is all the fuss about 50 MPG?? It was available in 1989, and I presume the "technology" is still available.
I would like to see a full life cycle analysis of the Prius, including the costs of replacing the batteries etc. The key is how much does it costs per mile travelled, including capital costs. I've got a tough time believing that the required energy conversions and their inherent losses (fossil fuel of any type to electricity and back again) are really an efficient use of fuel.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAs a feel good story, the Prius is a hit, but I doubt that it will have any lasting impact on the automobile market.
The moment I hear some one say something like "beyond what you see on Fox News," I know I'm dealing with a closed-minded bigot wrapped up in his own sense of moral superiority.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisCan you get the larger battery that gives extended mileage without the gas engine as an option?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI'm approaching four years' ownership of my 2005 Prius and am puzzled by some of the earlier comments.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this- Low acceleration? I don't know what you're used to but my Prius has more pep than I need, and more than most other cars I've owned. I usually give it just enough gas to keep up with other cars around me, and keep one eye on the MPG display to try to keep the bar as high as I can. If you're looking for drag-racer performance maybe you should be in a different car, and off the street.
- Too small? My Prius seats five adults and they're comfortable even in the back seat. No complaints.
I've owned many cars in 49 years and my Prius is the first one I can say I'm delighted with.
Just a me too. I drive a 1999 Mazda 626 turbo diesel. It averages 47 mpg (20 km/l) with A/C and offers plenty of room for 4 tall people (I'm 6'5"). So no the Prius is not exceptionally frugal. However, it should be exceptional when driven exclusively in city traffic.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisHI All,
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWell, 59 mpg cruising 50 mph down rural secondary roads in warm weather humid (less air drag) states is a big difference from 50 mpg in metropolitan slow and go. And I do not doubt that lightweight, pre NTHSA, pre EPA Teir 2 Bin5 Diesels could do that. But they still were poor in stop and go on the order of 30 mpg then. The Prius, and you can check the EPA website on this, is the first car to have better City mileage than Highway mileage. Which is the way it should be, because your not blowing away the BTU heating the air at 30 mph.
And this comparison "what I got" to the EPA ratings is total baloney too. Best full tank mileage I have ever had is 70.2 mpg in my 2006 Prius. But we all know the modern EPA ratings for that car is 46 mg. Using that ratio, the "1984 honda hatchback" is at 26.2 mpg compared to the 2010 Prius 50 mpg - nearly 100 % improvement. Again, this is not totally scientifc, but at least an attempt to be.
Hi Shoshin,
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe Prius battery cost $3K installed ($2.4K uninstalled). Its designed to last 150K miles (per the CARB state regulation). The result is a doubling of mileage from 25 to 50 mpg in actual service in a metropolitan area driving regime.
$3000/150000mi is 2 cents per mile. A 25 mpg car uses .04 gallons per mile. A 50 mpg car uses .02 gallons per mile. .04-.02 is .02 gallons saved per mile. So, as long as gasoline is more that $1.00 per gallon, the battery is cheaper. At present we are over twice that cost for gasoline here, and since 2006 have been as expensive as 4.5 times that.
Besides this, the transmission is much simpler and more reliable. This reliability is compounded in that the multifuncionalism permitted by the Prius design eliminates the need for seperate engine starter and alternator, which are the two most common parts to fail on cars.
The braking down to 7 mph is electric - meaning Prius friction brakes last well past 100 K miles.
Hi again Shoshin,
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisYes energy conversions always have a penalty associated with them. But what most people are unfamiliar with is how poor the Otto Cycle internal combustion engine (what is in most cars) is in low power operation. And in fact, these engines have about 1/2 their best efficiency at the power levels needed for everyday driving. This is a well known problem - the Partial Power Problem, and its due to the aerodynmic losses within the engine when the throttle valve is partially closed. A typical Otto engine has a peak efficiency of 25%, and down less than 15 % in normal driving. This alone results in a plus for the Hybrid approach. Additionally, the Prius uses an Atkinson (Miller Valve Train) Engine, which is 30% efficient optimally, but at low powers above 12 HP, is still at least 25 % efficient. This engine is impractical without the electric assist in the Prius, however.
Another issue is braking and downhill. When a car slows down for braking, that energy is wasted in friction brakes. In a Hybrid its partially recovered - about 85 % in the present Prius. Also, when you drive up a hill , then down the backside in a city driving enviorment, the engine is just idling, and you may even need to use the brakes. In a Prius, the engine turns off automatically, and the downhill energy goes into the battery. Coming off long off-ramps is where its common for Prius drivers to see their batteries topped off. Hills are not similuated in the EPA testing, which is why its common for the average driver to see better fuel economy in service in a Prius, than the EPA rating. BTW, Air Drag is simulated in the EPA testing.
Hybrids have been studied because of the Partial Power Problem, and because Otto engines also have poor torque at low RPM (while electric motors have complimentary high torque at low RPM) for many years. Ferdinand Porshe designed an electric Hybrid Car in the 1920's.
I have 06 Prius and it is the best car I have ever owned.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI agree with many points Donee made. I will try to address all the comments that made prior.
Samadams, you probably tried 2001-03 Prius. 2004-09 Prius is very well equipped with luxury features, probably more than your 2003 BMW has. It is also mid-size by interior size and most likely bigger than your 03 BMW as well. Check out a list of current 09 available options and interior room. This new 2010 Prius will have even more advanced options. LED headlamp, solar panel, radar assist cruise control, parallel parking assist, lane keep assist, exhaust heat recovery, touch tracer, etc.. Many new Lexus technology.
ajft64, in term of CO2 the Prius effect starts on the 3rd oil change. It takes a little more energy to build Prius but Prius comes out ahead after 12,000 miles. Google "Prius life cycle".
http://1.bp.blogspot.com
/_GY2_Nq3mtsg/SbMplDbneRI/AAAAAAAAADs/tCiTslQq7vY/s1600-h/Prius_II_Green_Report.jpg
geauxp, your 25 years old mini car does not meet today's safety requirement. Manual labor transmission with underpowered anemic single engine does not cut it today. My suggestion to you is to go and test drive a Prius. What you need to see and experience is sitting there.
lenepus, Toyota announced 8 years ago that they were making profit in every Prius they sold. Your friend probably got 3 new battery packs because it is covered under the warranty. HV battery pack is less expensive than the automatic transmission and AT is not covered under 10 years / 150k miles warranty. Heck, not even the gas engine is covered that long. Do you still consider a car with AT or a hybrid with eCVT?
hotblack, the first Prius was made 12 years ago and the first one arrived in the US 8 years ago. HV battery has been proven to be extremely reliable. You need to know the difference between how a hybrid use/recharge the battery and any other electronic devices. Prius keeps the battery at the optimal range using only 1/3 of the available energy (so it last beyond 10 years / 150k miles). Whereas, a laptop (for example), charge to full and drain to zero. You may not be aware of it but that's the abuse.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisForlornehope, Prius is less of a hit in Europe is because Diesel is cheaper than gasoline over there. There are also a lot of misinformation especially from the popular Top Gear TV program. 95% of the Prius owners are satisfy and will not go back to single engine that require gears to shift. Prius has a fixed gear and it is always in "top" gear. Since Prius has two power sources, it shifts between electric and gas. Electric for low speed high torque and Atkinson cycle gas engine is used mainly on the high speed cruising.
lowndesw,
In 2008, EPA revised a new MPG testing standard. If you want to compare, 2010 Prius is rated at 61 MPG with pre-2008 method. Your 20 years old TDI is not safe for you (would fail in today's crash test) and your emission is threat to all of us.
The question of total energy cost, "from cradle to grave", quickly leads to an interesting conundrum:
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisEvery single car has an AVERAGE energy cost per mile, and a TOTAL energy cost over its lifetime. The average cost per mile drops with every mile driven, while the total cost rises with every mile driven.
Which number is more important? It's a trick question: what matters is the total energy cost of 6 billion+ people. (And "cost" includes the externalities). This suggests that we should focus first on improving vehicles that are driven the most -- taxis, buses, big rigs, and planes, and on the entire transportation system.
Commmenter seawolf says that the crossover point for the Prius is only 12,000 miles. After that, BOTH the average energy cost per mile and the total energy cost are lower than a comparable non-hybrid.
Thanks to seawolf and donee for useful info, clearly delivered. And thanks to Toyota engineers for improving their hybrid yet again.
Hybrids
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisHybrids aren't going to save the planet. Anyone who says they're saving the planet while they have their foot on the gas pedal of any car (hybrid or otherwise) is full of ****. If you want to save the planet, put your car in the garage.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisarchwayold,
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe idea is not to change back to the way of the cavemen. Hybrids moved all of us forward to the right direction. The idea is to lessen the impact on the environment without any compromises to our modern everyday lives.
70-90% reduction in CO2 emission, half the fuel consumption, lower total cost of the ownership, plus many more hybrid-only premium features. It is a win-win solution.
So, let me understand your logic: Humans - Cars = Cavemen.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI think the entire population of China would disagree.
A good source for Prius answers is PriusChat.com.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe high voltage battery is warranted for 100,000 miles, 150,000 miles in California and other CARB rule states. Prius taxis in San Francisco are "miled out" at 300,000 miles and report that most of their batteries have lasted that long (major cause of shorter lives is reported to be collision damage not related to being hybrid). There are Prius taxis in New York approaching 400,000 miles. The HV battery is made up of a large number of individual cells which can be monitored for condition, but there have apparently not been enough failures to make it worth much to go into that business. The HV battery is pretty well protected in a collision, so the HV battery is available used for much less than new (about $3,000 new).
Hybrid unique components (including the HV "traction" battery) are recycleable just as are the rest of the components. Someone tried to show that a Hummer would have less environmental impact - per pound and assuming a 400,000 mile life for the Hummer.
The Prius is a mid-size four-door sedan (plus hatch-back, leading to some quibbles).
Comparison with significantly smaller and older cars is not fair - I owned a 1956 Porsche 356C coupe that sometimes got over 40 mpg, but it was about 2 1/2 passenger with a small trunk and the only pollution device was a crankcase breather (which may have improved mileage slightly). It didn't care for some brands of "regular" gasoline.
I really cannot see why people are so hyped up about the Prius achieving 50MPG. I own a 2000 Audi A6 1.9tdi. Recently on a long run I averaged (according to the trip computer) 68.9 MPG. My average around city is about 40. What's the big deal. Hydrogen is the way to go.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisarchwayold,
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisChina is the fastest growing market for automobile. They would disagree with your suggestion to put the cars in the garage.
mackerirl,
You must be from Europe. US Gallon is smaller than Empirical Gallon. The current Prius (46 US MPG) gets 65 MPG in the European combined test cycle. The new 2010 Prius should get even more.
Do you have the overall average MPG all year round? We need to avoid cherry picking the data.
BTW, according to wikipedia, your car is 2 seconds slower than the Prius in 0-100 kmh.
Diesel fuel contains significantly more energy per gallon than gasoline, and creates more CO2 emissions per gallon. Coincidentally, it costs far more in the US than gasoline. Most US customers don't appreciate the smell or clatter of a diesel car either. So its apples to oranges, friend.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisA gallon of diesel fuel contains significantly more energy than a gallon of gas, and produces significantly more CO2. It also costs more in the US. Most US drivers don't appreciate the smell, smoke, or clatter of diesel engines (yes, even the new ones). So, its apples to oranges, friend.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisusbseawolf2000
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMany thanks for clarifying the difference in US / UK gallons. You know the saying.
A standard is a common ground from which to differ.
I owned a '94 Acura Integra for 12 years before I bought my 2006 Prius. No, neither car has the "prestige reputation" of other brands like BMW, Mercedes, etc., but my choice each time was based on reliability. With the reported reliability of some "Prestige Brands," you could not pay me to drive one. The Integra was extremely reliable, and in the nearly three-years I've owned the Prius, I have had no problems with it.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhen I hear people try to claim that the battery lasts only 100K miles, I think "shill." Anyone considering buying a Prius should investigate for themselves. There are "US Gen I" Prii out there that have in excess of 200K miles on the original battery. Your mileage may vary; IMHO, 200K+ miles says quite a bit.
As to power on the road, I don't understand why people seem to think that you need a rocket engine in your car. I do not see it that way; however, as I see it, my 2006 Prius is on par with my '94 Integra. The electric motor has 274 ft-lbs of torque which puts it on par with some pickup trucks. As torque can be described as the ability to accelerate, if you floor my Prius, it goes. In fact, I have beaten jerks in souped-up Accords and kept pace with another jerk in one of the sporty new Chrysler models much to the dismay of those drivers. :) More recently, I don't bother with such jerks. Its just not worth it.
What about gas mileage, you might ask? Well, I somewhat hypermile, but I am not what I would consider an extreme hypermiler. In the winter, when the ICE must run to heat the cabin, I get my worst city mileage ~37 MPG. In the summer, when I do not have to run the ICE for heat, I get my best city mileage. Last summer, that was 60 MPG. IMHO, anyone willing to learn how to use the car like any good tool - i.e., drive it in a manner that makes full use of its energy saving features, can get this mileage without going to extreme hypermiling lengths.
The car is, IMHO, a superb car. I sold the original tires on e-bay and bought a fantastic set of severe weather rated, low-rolling resistance tires - Nokian WRs.
It handles much like my Integra, it is extremely quiet in the cabin which makes it a pleasure to drive on long trips, and I have had five adults in the car at one time. Some of those were large and did not complain about having no room. I could not have done that with the Integra.
My bet is that I could easily get the 72MPG figure spoken of in the article, and I would love the EV mode for some of the short distance driving that I do, but I am waiting for the plug-in version.
I owned a '94 Acura Integra for 12 years before I bought my 2006 Prius. No, neither car has the "prestige reputation" of other brands like BMW, Mercedes, etc., but my choice each time was based on reliability. With the reported reliability of some "Prestige Brands," you could not pay me to drive one. The Integra was extremely reliable, and in the nearly three-years I've owned the Prius, I have had no problems with it.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhen I hear people try to claim that the battery lasts only 100K miles, I think "shill." Anyone considering buying a Prius should investigate for themselves. There are "US Gen I" Prii out there that have in excess of 200K miles on the original battery. Your mileage may vary; IMHO, 200K+ miles says quite a bit.
As to power on the road, I don't understand why people seem to think that you need a rocket engine in your car. I do not see it that way; however, as I see it, my 2006 Prius is on par with my '94 Integra. The electric motor has 274 ft-lbs of torque which puts it on par with some pickup trucks. As torque can be described as the ability to accelerate, if you floor my Prius, it goes. In fact, I have beaten jerks in souped-up Accords and kept pace with another jerk in one of the sporty new Chrysler models much to the dismay of those drivers. :) More recently, I don't bother with such jerks. Its just not worth it.
What about gas mileage, you might ask? Well, I somewhat hypermile, but I am not what I would consider an extreme hypermiler. In the winter, when the ICE must run to heat the cabin, I get my worst city mileage ~37 MPG. In the summer, when I do not have to run the ICE for heat, I get my best city mileage. Last summer, that was 60 MPG. IMHO, anyone willing to learn how to use the car like any good tool - i.e., drive it in a manner that makes full use of its energy saving features, can get this mileage without going to extreme hypermiling lengths.
The car is, IMHO, a superb car. I sold the original tires on e-bay and bought a fantastic set of severe weather rated, low-rolling resistance tires - Nokian WRs.
It handles much like my Integra, it is extremely quiet in the cabin which makes it a pleasure to drive on long trips, and I have had five adults in the car at one time. Some of those were large and did not complain about having no room. I could not have done that with the Integra.
My bet is that I could easily get the 72MPG figure spoken of in the article, and I would love the EV mode for some of the short distance driving that I do, but I am waiting for the plug-in version.
It would be interesting to see a true cradle to grave comparison between the overall energy/waste impact of a Prius and one of the older, 50+ mpg diesel small cars that used to be available (note that I am not sure these are available anymore outside VW).
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe best document I have seen is http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/k_forum/tenji/pdf/pgr_e.pdf
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMind the kiddie presentation. Yes, you need to install the font if the PDF ask you to. The comparison is only against the gas version. Sorry, no diesel in comparison.
Nice multi-page advertising for Toyota. I would prefer the simplicity and economy of a diesel. In Europe, carmakers sell diesels with better fuel economy than the Prius. I recall the brochures for the 1979 diesel VW Rabbit that got 50 mpg, so after 30 years, where's the progress?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisJS
Progress is in faster acceleration, safety and creature comfort.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisEven in Europe, the Diesel cars that get about the same MPG as the Prius, are tiny (a couple of classes smaller).
Toyota sells Diesels in Europe too. There is a reason they are not bringing over here in US. Emission is not low enough and the fuel cost more than gasoline here.
The Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) battery is considered mature technology in the computer, pocket PC and mobile telephone markets. There is a comparatively new car company in California called Tesla Motors that is already manufacturing purely electric Tesla Roadster sports cars; these cars use Li-Ion batteries giving a range of 244 miles (390km) on a single charge, and 0 to 60mph (96kmph) in 3.9 seconds. For more information visit: http://www.teslamotors.com/
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI am surprised Toyota has not licensed Tesla Motor's Li-Ion battery technology for use in the Prius. If Toyota wanted to research what I'd consider a truly next generation battery, why aren't they looking at Lithium polymer technology? The Lithium polymer batteries promise at least the same energy as existing Lithium Ion batteries of the same Amp-hour capacity with much less weight.
Tesla Motors was founded by an electrical engineer who used to design Li-Ion power electronics for Pocket PCs and mobile 'phones. Perhaps Honda, Lexus and Toyota require a paradigm shift in their thinking about electric power for automobiles?
I agree with a previous comment that Hydrogen is the way to go. People who travel to Europe from Australia tell me BMW is gradually developing a Hydrogen fuel infrastructure with government support, and are setting up Hydrogen filling stations. Canada, Japan, the United States of America and Australia should learn from the example set by BMW and Europe, before we can expect growing economies like China and India to follow suit.
Technology for the extraction of Hydrogen from water using sunlight as the only energy source has already been developed by the University of New South Wales. Now that the technologies for Li polymer and the low energy cost extraction of Hydrogen from water have been invented and only require the political will to implement these on a gradual basis, there is no longer any excuse; we can save Planet Earth if we really want to.
For further information on the Hydrogen extraction from water using sunligh and titanium oxide ceramics, please visit:
http://www.unsw.edu.au/news/pad/articles/2004/aug/Solar_hydrogenMNE.html
Note the article was writen in late 2004 and the prediction the technology will be a reality within seven years; the seven year deadline will arrive within 3 years from now.
I am AMAZED at everyone's "where is the technology for 50mpg?" questions... the answer is this: as emissions standards get tighter and tighter, the fuel economy goes down. there were 40mpg cars available in the 1970's and they were not known as economy cars. sheesh so many uneducated educated people! remember this: those who think they know everything are the greatest fools of all!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhat about the claims that the prius and other hybrids expend more energy and carbon dioxide emissions in the making that using them is not really green at all?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisdogloverky,
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisYou probably heard about that myth from a flawed study that was disproved. For more info:
http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-hybrid-news/30974-prius-vs-hummer-exploding-myth.html
what does the underside of the prius look like?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this2010 Prius underside is like a piece of art. They covered up to make it more aerodynamic. There are two fins as well for the extra stability at high speed.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thishttp://picasaweb.google.com/htmlspinnr/PriusConnectionDetroit#5290995241003796882
Picture Credit: HTMLSpinnr
See below Essential Efficiency video they presented at Prius Connection Detroit event. It covers more than the underbody.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thishttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TedU80FWwpg
I will keep my 2006 Impala SS, I can get 99MPG+ coasting down hill also! If on flat ground at 70mph, I can get 30+MPG and if I so desire, blow the doors off any Hibrid!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMy 2006 Prius gets 30 MPG going uphill (on Williamsburg bridge) at about 45 MPH. Of course going back down uses no gas so it averages 60 MPG. See the video at 2:15.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thishttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjdUr2BD6R4
In traffic congestions (jams), I constantly get 70+ MPG.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5629875641973044508
Go test drive one, you will love it.
Does anyone understand Toyota's reasoning for not making the Prius a plug in?
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