By Robert Lockhart
Here are few facts about our Prius Prime (plug-in hybrid). When we took delivery at the end of June last year, I really didn’t think the 45 kms of EV range would amount to much. Boy, was I wrong.
We live about 25 kms north of Peterborough, so we are not urban dwellers. We have to travel a ways before we get to anywhere. Regardless, it was surprising to see how many trips fall within or just beyond our EV range. When the EV is exhausted, the vehicle transitions seamlessly into gas/electric hybrid mode. The only indication you have is a slightly heavier feel to the ‘gas’ pedal when the gasoline engine kicks in, assisted by the electric motor.
We are so impressed with even partial EV driving, that our next vehicle will be a pure EV – unless plug-in hybrids continue to increase their EV range. We’ll see what’s available when our lease ends in two years. In the meantime, it’s fund to learn and begin to live the EV lifestyle.
One thing we’re learning is that early-adopters have a few struggles. However, it’s fun to be pioneer. Another time, I’ll tell you about our battle with our Florida condo association to try to convince them to install a Level 2 outlet that the 3 EV owners in our building could share. They’ve decided that we are ‘on our own’ until there are more of us – which they don’t think will happen for at least a decade. My information suggests that it’ll be much sooner than that.
Toyota Prius Prime – Lockhart’s 11 month Experience
- Typical EV range 45 kms
- 16,500 kms (11 months) 2.7 L/100 kms (average)
- Last 1,182 kms (5 weeks) 1.4 L/100 kms (since return from Florida)
- Four months in Florida 1.6 L/100 kms (4,530 kms)
- 5,300 km return Florida trip 4.4 L/100 kms (little opportunity to charge while on route) Fuel cost $88.50 down/$76.90 return – fully-loaded and highway speed
- Vehicle charges in 4.5 hours on 120 volt and 2 hours on 240 volt – so home-based charging is the only economical waY to charge.
We also have a one year old Prime. I filled up with gas in early March and then COVID came. For the past 11 weeks we have made no long trips, so with nightly charging at home all our driving is on electric mode. We still have a full tank and I haven’t had to risk contact at a gas station. We wanted a fully electric vehicle but my husband had a severe stroke and can only walk a short distance to get to a washroom. This gives me range anxiety and the need for more convenient chargers on route. Our next car will definitely be all electric.
We have a 2018 Prius Prime with over 45,000 km on it. Lifetime performance is 1.9 litres per 100 km. Absolutely no range anxiety. We drive on electric most of the time, and worry a bit about the gasoline going “foul” in the tank – which we put only 20 litres into now and again.
On the Bridge Podcast you mentioned 4 new EV’s coming to market which you will consider before your decision. I’d be interested to know which ones you are referring to, thanks