Actually, I meant an electric vehicle, not the EV button.

The EV button will not help unless it can prevent a cold start. Moving your car around in a parking lot or otherwise driving a short distance. I also use it to kill the ICE at a stoplight when the ICE doesn't automatically shut off. There are a few other uses, such as extending a glide by connecting downhill segments that are separated by a slight incline.

All of these examples are instances when you can stop the ICE from running when all yo need is a little nudge, low power, to get you where you want to go. Unless you plan your route very carefully, the EV button will not help one bit.

 

I wish Honda still made the EVPlus 18 miles total workday commute for me. An EV would be so **** obvious for my application it would be a no-brainer.

 

Here's what I'm wondering:
1..How much of a 4.1 mile drive can an unmodified Prius do in EV mode?
2..How far inbetween stops do you have to drive before autostop can function?
3..Has anyone had any *real* problems with this car (i.e. problems that involve safety and drivability?)

First we wont hold it agenst you for purchasing a Honda .. LOL <J/K>

Answers for questions 2 & 3
#3..I have owned my 04 since new. I have only replaced a set of tires and Im siting at 40kThe car has a 5 star crashrating, I never have had to put it to the crash test..
Toyotas are known for being reliable,
#2..The car autostops everytime you come to a stop. and will run ev up to 15-25mph unless you floor it..

The agency you work for must not let you have a take home car, like the one I work for.. Since I have a take home car I only drive the tundra on saturday, the wife drives the Prius 6 days a week at 50mile round trips and fills up every sunday.. we used to fill up twice a week.

 

I would like to see a Hybrid Mini-Van & Tundra Pick-Up, by 2008.
I did hear that Toyota may be offering a Diesel Tundra in 2007!

I do know they are running a hybrid mini-van in japan But will it ever happen here?
I don't trust Consumer Reports after the bias articles on Hybrids.

As my signature states "Ask the person that drives one".

Implied if you want to know about a car just ask those who drive one on a daily basis or have open minded drivers test each model for 7months then give a detailed article....

 

According to Consumer Reports, you won't:

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/c...chTerm=hybrids

No hybrid minivans in their view of the future, through 2010 estimated. Pickups are the Chevy Silverado and the GMC Sierra. Isn't there already a Silverado, representing the "weak hybrid" category?

DAS

 

Thanks for all the input! I think that the Prius would be a good choice for me in 2008. My 4.1 mile drive is mostly flat and mostly 35 mph or less. The Prius is also a pretty car.

Fortunately, I should get a decent trade-in for my HCH once the payments are done. It is in very good mechanical condition and has been dealer-serviced on time for every standard maintenance.

 

WOW a (5mi) commute? How many times do you refuel? Once a month?

Does anyone feel that they drive more, owning a hybrid..?

 

Yeah! I got 33 days out of my most recent tank of gas. Huzzah!

 

HOw long did you go with a non hybrid?

LOL the envy of drivers everywere... 33 dys per fill up, Sweeeeeet...

 

Actually, I owned the hybrid before I got my new job. My old job basically ate a Toyota Echo in just one year. At the time, I was a district manager for a chain of cell phone stores. I drove a LOT. Now I'm a Pre-trial Investigator.

It is AWESOME having a single-digit round-trip commute!