Prius+ Hot Climate

[Kaplan]

I've just ordered a new Prius+ and as I live in a pretty hot climate (middle east) I was wondering what affect that would have on my mpg.

It can get up to 35-40 degrees (Celsius) in the summer. Winter is like a British summer.

I heard that when the HV is hot it doesn't go into EV mode - that worries me a bit.

On the other hand surely the ICE will warm up quicker?

The other factor is aircon. We obviously need to run it the whole time in the summer. I assume this will have a massive effect on mpg (as per all other cars)?

My current Renault Megane gets around 28mpg (26 mpg with aircon) so I hope that I can expect to get more than that even though the Prius+ is a bigger car?

[Grumpy Cabbie]

The Prius (and all it's different versions) are sold in the US southern states and Australia and it is happy to handle daily temperatures of 45c.

Heat does kill the Battery prematurely, so if you leave the car sat in the sun all day at work allowing the inside to become an oven, then yes it may cause issues earlier than for us in the UK. If you park under cover or tint the windows and use shields etc, then that helps apparently.

The a/c use is neither here nor there compared to traditional cars. The Prius is actually more efficient in hot weather than cold as the a/c runs off the Battery - and very efficiently, whereas the heat for the heater is sapped from running the engine and thus affecting mpg's.

Hard a/c use causes the compressor to buzz loudly and the engine may also run hard at times to power the a/c. This is totally normal and don't worry. It is said from owners in hot countries that it is better to open all the doors for a minute to let the heat out when you first get in the car. Also they suggest to actually encourage a/c use in summer as the Battery only gets its cooling from the inside of the car. If you have the windows open you're letting in 40c air, or with the a/c on you're letting in much colder air. A colder battery is a happy battery.

On the US Priuschat forum there are members from all over, including Jordan, central Australia, Africa, India, Cambodia etc. And they have all reflected their experiences in the heat and/or humidity.

So whilst the Prius is ok in mild heat (upto 35c) and very economical compared to other cars, it will use more petrol over 35c as the car works harder to cool the inside, but is still much more economical that other non hybrid cars. The a/c is very efficient and very cold even in hot countries.

Hope that helps.