Does Toyoto-Prius have plans to offer a Prius equipped with enough
batteries to run the first 30 miles on electricity alone? If so, when?

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Request for Question Clarification by rainbow-ga on 22 Sep 2005 02:08 PDT

Hi buzzy111,

Please take a look at the following and let me know if this
sufficiently answers your question:

What is the EDrive system for the Toyota Prius and how does it work?
The EDrive system replaces the existing Prius NiMH battery and Toyota
battery control computer with a larger Valence Saphion lithium-ion
battery and a proprietary battery monitoring and control system
developed by EnergyCS. The new system allows the Prius to be charged
at home using a standard 110/120V home outlet. With the larger
battery, the Prius can run in electric only 'EV' mode at lower speeds
or when less power is needed. The result is EV driving and
electrically boosted gasoline driving for the first 50 to 60 miles
with a gasoline efficiency of 100 to 150mpg. After the 50-60 mile
'boosted' range, the vehicle performs just like a standard Prius until
it is plugged in again. The battery system is approximately 3 times
larger than the Toyota NiMH battery and is installed under the rear
cargo carpet. A small display is mounted on the dashboard.

What is the driving experience like with an EDrive equipped Prius?
After the nightly re-charge, the vehicle can be driven in EV mode
until the vehicle speed exceeds 34mph. At this point the engine may
start in order to warm up the emission control system. After the
emission system is warmed up, the Prius will use the gasoline engine
whenever higher speeds or power levels are needed, but will always
(for the first 50-60 miles) inject electricity to reduce gasoline
consumption. It is possible to drive in EV mode at speeds over 34mph
and up to 55mph if the power requirements are low enough. The
dashboard mounted display will always tell you if you are using
gasoline and if not, how far you can press the accelerator without
turning the gasoline engine on. In low speed city driving and 55mph
freeway driving it is possible to average over 200mpg. More aggressive
driving over 65mph will lower the efficiency to 100mpg or less. For
example, 75mph freeway driving could result in less than 80mpg. During
the 50-60 mile boost period, the Prius battery display will show
either 7 or 8 green bars (ie full). After the boost mode, the display
(and vehicle performance) will be identical to a standard Prius.

When can I get EDrive installed in my 2004/05 Prius?
Our goal is to have the commercial EDrive product available in early 2006. 

Where can I get EDrive installed in my 2004/05 Prius?
Initially, all installations will be done at Clean-tech in Los Angeles.

Will it be available outside of California? When?
As far as the U.S. market is concerned, we are concentrating on
Southern California first. Within 9 months of the initial sales in
L.A., additional authorized retail/installation locations will be set
up in other parts of the country.

http://www.edrivesystems.com/Edrive-FAQ.html


Waiting to hear your views.

Best regards,
Rainbow

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Clarification of Question by buzzy111-ga on 22 Sep 2005 06:38 PDT

Your answer certainly goes a long way in answering my question.  But
could you clarify if Toyota-Prius intends in the near future to
provide sufficient batteries, and system changes, to allow the first
30 or so miles to be run entirely on electricity from the overnight
charge without the gasoline engine having to come on?  That way, for a
car such equiped, the gas required for the first 30 miles would be
zero and the mpg infinite.  And since the average private car is
driven only 30 or so miles a day, that may reduce our national
dependence on gasoline by as much as 50%, since, unfortunately, there
are many commercial and government cars and trucks that are driven on
average, say, 400 miles per day.

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Request for Question Clarification by rainbow-ga on 22 Sep 2005 10:59 PDT

After further research, I was not able to find any additional
information. However, I came across the the following links which may
interest you:

http://www.calcars.org/priusplusfactsheet-v1.10.pdf

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/01/27/tech/main669741.shtml

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/priusplus/

Best wishes,
Rainbow

Thus far, it appears that third-party conversions are going to be the
only approach to making the Prius a plug-in.  Toyota has made public
statements that they do not believe customers want it.  The CEO is
focused on cutting the cost of the existing hybrid system in half to
improve its appeal rather than on making it more expensive.

"EnergyCS and Clean-Tech have launched a start-up called E-Drive
Systems, which plans to sell by next year kits to convert the Prius
into a plug-in (though the modifications will void the warranty). At
speeds below 35 m.p.h., Hanssen's Prius sails along on its 18 lithium
batteries for up to 30 miles at a go--well within the range envisioned
by Gaffney. The conversion cost isn't cheap: $15,000, which Hanssen
hopes to cut to around $10,000. 'It won't pay for itself in gas
savings,' Hanssen admits, 'but neither does the Prius. People will do
this for other, philosophical and environmental reasons.'"

"Breaking That Dirty Oil Habit" By UNMESH KHER, Time Magazine (July
2005) http://www.time.com/time/insidebiz/article/0,9171,1069470-2,00.html
(page 2)

"Toyota isn't exactly jumping on the bandwagon. 'Customers,' says Ed
LaRocque, Toyota's national manager of advanced technology, 'are not
telling us plug-in hybrids are something they'd like to see at no
cost, let alone what we estimate would be an additional $15,000.'"

"Breaking That Dirty Oil Habit" By UNMESH KHER, Time Magazine (July
2005) http://www.time.com/time/insidebiz/article/0,9171,1069470-3,00.html
(page 3)

"The president of Toyota Motor says he has told his engineering chief
to find a way to cut in half the price difference between
fuel-efficient gas-electric hybrids and similar gasoline models."

"Toyota hopes to cut hybrid premium in half" By James R. Healey, USA
TODAY (September 12, 2005)
http://usatoday.com/tech/news/techinnovations/2005-09-12-toyota-hybrid_x.htm?POE=click-refer

Sincerely,

Wonko

Search terms:  Toyota president half cost hybrid