Update On The Plug-In

[cuius]

http://www.autoexpre...ius_plugin.html

[kithmo]

I know they work out the mpg figures using the government tests but there are so many variables in the real world that they might as well pluck a figure out of thin air (like vauxhall have with the ampera methinks).

E.g. If you charge up the Battery every day and travel less than 14 miles you would be using very little petrol and achieving hundreds of miles per gallon, wheras if you charge the Battery up and then go on a long journey you're only going to achieve slightly more than the standard Prius. Also, how do we factor in the cost of charging to the mpg figure ?

Is it worth the premium (£) over the standard Prius ?

[Grumpy Cabbie]

I think they should follow the Americans and issue a figure once the charge has diminished. That way you know you'll get 1000+mpg if your journey is 10 miles and 62 mpg once the charge has gone, but at the moment it really is just a case of plucking a figure out of thin air.

How long is the distance on the Euro test cycle? If it's 20 miles, then Toyota could just stretch the HV Battery a little and claim 500 mpg. It's all a nonsense.

(p.s. the Plug In Prius is still WAY too expensive for what it is)

[timberwolf]

According to Wikipedia the USA have adopted a MPGe (Miles per gallon gasoline equivalent). One link I came across gave the Nissan LEAF a 99 MPGe.

[duncerduncs]

I think they should follow the Americans and issue a figure once the charge has diminished.

Toyota GB have, it's in the press release...

When the EV battery is depleted, the Prius Plug-In Hybrid automatically switches into HV mode, delivering CO₂ emissions of 85 g/km and economy of 76.4mpg, an improvement on the emissions and fuel economy of the standard Prius.

http://media.toyota.co.uk/2012/02/prius-plug-in-hybrid-from-guildford-to-gloucester-on-a-gallon/

[Heidfirst]

http://blog.toyota.co.uk/prius-plug-in-officially-the-most-efficient-toyota-ever-to-go-on-sale-in-the-uk