The G2 Prius are 1.5 ICE.The G3 are 1.8! H

 

Oh in that case, I'd definitely think about a block heater if only for your own comfort and there were no economy improvements at all.

 

I found the fuel economy slightly better in my '07 HCH over my current '09 Prius in the winter months. But the Prius has heat wereas the HCH didn't have any at all. Not once did I or my passengers freeze, or did I have to scrape the inside of the windows on the Prius. I rate the Prius better overall in cold Canadian winters, IMHO.

 

Yes I remember your problems with heat for the cabin, starman. Mine is very comfortable inside up to -20. Never been in much over that! H

 

The 3rd gen Prius ditched the coolant thermos bottle that the 2nd gens have in favor of an exhaust gas heat recovery system. I hear that the Gen 3 warms up quicker, as a result.

Priuses mileage definitely does get affected by cold weather and other associated weather (rain and snow). There was one big whiner about it on Priuschat who kept whining and arguing w/other people about his winter mileage drop and then finally sold his Gen III in favor of a car that gets worse mileage.

 

That does sound good. Its a win - win for better cold weather warm ups and better cabin heat.

A block heater is a must for very cold temps as well. Im talking about -30C/-22F or lower. The car takes blocks to warm up vs. miles. At temps -3C/26F the block heater does warm up a bit but driving a few blocks results in the same heat/mileage. This is according to my scangauge readings.

 

Some folks on Priuschat uses EBHs even in MUCH warmer temperatures. I've contemplated one but I have very short drives now and don't have a good place to plug in (I live in an apartment). Also, EBHs and installation aren't that cheap.

There's a guy on Priuschat who installs EBHs for free (for fun?, he doesn't supply the part) on Priuses. But, IIRC, he's in the Chicago area...

I block my grille w/pipe insulation in colder weather. That's cheap.

 

EBH are fine, but has anyone actually figured out the pay back time? I don't think they are necessary unless you live in very cold climates? -20 and colder. H

 

Here EBH are installed as standard equipment and there are plug-ins at every parking spot. We are all ready for EVs (lots of places to plug them in) but no one wants one.

 

I'd love to have EV only for my everyday car. Long distance HCH2 or Prius. H