I've been driving a Plug-In Toyota Prius for the last five days. Overall the experience was about what you'd expect -- Prius-like, but with an electrical cord running from my garage outlet to the Prius' left flank whenever I parked it.
Unlike our Long-Term Mini E, the Plug-In Prius only takes about 2 hours to fully charge. Also unlike the Mini E, it only goes about 10 miles on pure-electricity before the engine has to do most of the work (less if you're not in "Eco" mode -- which makes the car really slow).
Still, I applaud Toyota for offering this version of the Prius. For drivers with a short daily commute or minimal driving needs (as well as minimal power needs and no steep hills nearby), it's conceivable to use very little fuel when driving a Plug-In Prius. And if you take it out of "Eco" mode and suddenly decide you want to drive across the country, the car basically becomes a regular Prius, getting 50 mpg while having adequate space and power.
But this idea of powering our cars off the grid seems to be gaining momentum (for now...), and if that's the direction we're headed I can tell you things are going to be different, and not just in terms of where our motive power is coming from. Thus, I present the Top 10 Things a "Plugged-In" American Driver Will Have to Learn:
1. What is the exact distance from where you park to your nearest wall outlet? An extra foot of power cord is no issue, but even an inch short and, as the Soup Nazi might say, "No Charge For You!" (apartment dwellers be warned)
2. What does your electric bill actually say? Most of us don't know and don't want to know, but an extra 300 kilowatt hours a month will make a difference on your energy budget, especially if they all fall in the dreaded "Tier 5" rate...
3. When do you need to do your errands? The forethought that goes into our driving duties could be timed with a stopwatch for most of us, but that won't work if you need hours of charging before you can leave the house
4. Can you really trust your ears? No! Not if you depend on them to alert you when wandering across parking rows at the local mall. These plugged in EVs will give new meaning to the phrase "Silent But Deadly"
5. Where do your impatient neighbors live? You'll want to stay out of their way. Yeah, EVs can be quick, but being quick means a shorter range, so the cars will all undoubtedly encourage a more...uh, "relaxed" pace (like "Eco" mode)
6. Can you expand your temperature tolerance? Hopefully yes, because things like air conditioning and seat heaters all draw on the same power source as the wheels (battery), so using any of them means you run out of "go juice" sooner.
7. Is there a non-highway route? Speed is the enemy of EVs. Plodding along at 25 mph isn't an issue (thus the GEM's and THINK's speed limit), but crusing at 70 will make an iPhone's battery capacity look robust.
8. Can you afford to invest in signage companies? Because sales of "Watch Your Step!" placards should be ramping up. You'll want to make sure you, your wife, your kids and the garage door repair man watch where they walk.
9. What are your real-world driving demands? If you usually only drive 100 miles or less a day than most plug-in EVs will usually work for you. Once again, that's usually. As in most of the time. As in sometimes they won't work for you. Just sayin'
10. Finally, are you really driving an EV? The definition seems to be in flux these days, so I'll clarify. If your vehicle runs on electricity -- and ONLY electricity -- it's an EV. If it uses anything else to power it (in any way, shape or form) it's not an EV.
By mozzz77788
on October 12, 2010
09:25 AM
This was a great article, but it should have been "Top 9". I have been reading edmunds for about 6 years and Insideline since it started, and never have I seen such classless journalism from this usually great staff. GM lied, and they shouldn't have, but this reaction is excessive!
I have never read one Motor Trend article online, and because of this mess I have read many in the past two days. They're approach is much more level-headed, and honestly, more professional.
I don't know if InsideLine is trying to avoid looking biased towards GM after that huge Cruze ad on the front page, but we're not buying it.
Dial it down a little bit, please.
Great article though!
By brn
on October 12, 2010
11:01 AM
I liked most of the list. It's a bit of a reality check. I'm all for electrically powered vehicles, but EV proponents absolutely have to acknowledge the downsides.
#10 however is bullshit. It's clearly a reference to the recent Volt situation. You can never put gas in the Volt and drive it beyond legal speeds on the freeway. It's an EV. It happens to be a (mostly series) hybrid too.
By jstandefer
on October 12, 2010
11:34 AM
My thoughts on EV vs. hybrid: Does it have a tank to store gasoline? Does it have an internal combustion engine to burn that gasoline? If yes, it's a hybrid. The Volt is a hybrid, and I've never thought of it as anything else. "Extended range EV" is smart marketing, but hybrid is much more accurate.
The comment that said you can go along without ever burning gasoline in the Volt is wrong. Engines have to run from time to time to keep things from seizing up. Gasoline doesn't have an indefinite shelf life. As such, the Volt has a maintenance mode that will run the gasoline engine to lubricate things and use up some of that aging gasoline if the owner never runs the car long or fast enough to engage the gasoline engine. So, you'll have to fill the gasoline tank occasionally... with premium fuel, no less.
My thoughts on the general reaction to GM's "lie": Yeah, there are a lot of things about the Volt that we'll learn. The Volt will be far less spectacular than the public expects once they're really out on the street in the hands of real owners. Part of that is GM's fault, part of that is the media's fault, and part of that is the general public's fault. Too much hype and too much excitement will always lead to disappointment. The Edmunds reaction to the latest news... a bit harsh.
My thoughts on Karl's article: Nicely put. Here in San Diego County, SDG&E just installed "smart" meters. Now they can monitor not only how much electricity you're using, but when you're using it. Go ahead... plug in that car during peak hours and see how much your electricity bill goes up. During heat waves, California's energy grid can barely keep up, sometimes resorting to planned brownouts to keep up with demand. What's going to happen when there are tens or hundreds of thousands of cars plugged in?
By carlisimo
on October 12, 2010
06:21 PM
Jeez, I'd hate to have a 100 mile per day lifestyle. That isn't very common, is it?
Item 1 is probably the biggest issue. I think the range issue will eventually be handled with swap-in battery packs at gas stations, or Radio Shacks or something. But right now, an EV would work for me. I drive little enough that I could drive it at high speeds with the A/C on and still be okay. And I always drive my wife's car for long trips because it's a million times more comfortable than mine. Just give me steering feel and I'll take the plunge!
By carlisimo
on October 12, 2010
06:25 PM
Jeez, I'd hate to have a 100 mile per day lifestyle. That isn't very common, is it?
Item 1 is probably the biggest issue. I think the range issue will eventually be handled with swap-in battery packs at gas stations, or Radio Shacks or something. But right now, an EV would work for me. I drive little enough that I could drive it at high speeds with the A/C on and still be okay. And I always drive my wife's car for long trips because it's a million times more comfortable than mine. Just give me steering feel and I'll take the plunge!
By carlisimo
on October 12, 2010
06:25 PM
Sorry about that.
By iskch
on October 13, 2010
09:25 AM
Great article. For example: For me the Leaf will be more than ideal for my daily commute. I travel less 40 miles per day. But if I try to plan to travel 50 + miles I will take a Hybrid like the Volt or my regular car. Is call common sense.
By greenpony
on October 17, 2010
02:35 PM
Sorry, but a high-mileage ICE car is a more economically feasible choice for me... Then again, I'm not as concerned about fuel economy as I once was.