Not much discussion of hybrids here yet. Anybody own a hybrid and what are the virtues and drawbacks of the charging modes?
I’ve owned a non-Prius hybrid; but it wasn’t what he calls the ‘PHEV’ type, so the only recharging it gets is from the recovery of energy usually wasted in braking and such. In other words, no juice from wall current, which is the option you get from the PHEV.
The major advantage of the standard traditional hybrid is excellent gas mileage and really good pick-up from a standing start; it’s also really nice not being at all dependent on slow charging facilities (assuming they don’t outlaw gas stations). The major disadvantage is that the batteries don’t last forever, and they’re pricey to replace.
I’m pretty sure the whole article is about hybrids. I didn’t read it because I know all I need to know. Been selling them since 1994.
But. You don’t run out of electricity. They gas engine and motor generators keeps the battery charged. Better gas mileage in City(Toyota) because it will run on electric within certain parameters.
You “charge” it in 5 minutes at a gas station.
I was with Toyota for 26 years. In all that time I saw 1, as in 1, come in with a battery pack issue. So that’s pretty much a non-starter.
Plug in hybrids are great! Because you can, duh, plug them in and run pure electric. Straight hybrids run very limited on battery.
Do not run your hybrid out of gas! Problem.
Hybrids are practical because they don’t rely totally on electricity. The battery is more to help the gas motor. Although they run on both a large percentage of the time.
Lots more. Any questions?
You still have the problem of sourcing raw materials for batteries.
We bought a new Prius back in 2006, loved it and had no problems with it for 14 years.
Then we moved into a duplex with a one car garage and we wanted to keep our 4 wheel drive vehicle,
so we offered the Prius to our son and his wife who we fully expected to reject it because they like more stylish wheels.
They ultimately took it and found that they can pack as much into it as their SUV for their ski trips to Colorado.
When they went in their SUV the gasoline cost $450 per trip, in the Prius it cost $150 per trip.
All we ever did to the car was put new tires on it. They have only invested in snow tires.
If we wanted to replace our 4 wheel drive Toyota, I would not hesitate to buy a plug-in hybrid Prius.