Zoomi Life

Ever since Toyota announced that the 2010 Prius would be a plug-in (PHEV), there’s been some noise from the community about whether this is really a big change for the little hybrid.  After all, most foreign models already have an “EV” button that allows the car to run on battery alone for short distances.

In fact, a growing community of American drivers have been discussing how to modify current Prius models to give them this same functionality.  As it turns out, Toyota left all the software and wiring in place on the American models for this and basically just didn’t add the dashboard button to activate it.

There are even after-market dealers selling “kits” for easily upgrading your Prius to include this EV switch. Coastal Electronic Technologies, for example, offers a long list of Prius enhancements, all or most of which can be supposedly installed at home with simple tools. They even offer a downloadable DIY guide to do so.

Of course, all of these changes will run the risk of voiding your Prius’ warranty.

The real question, in most people’s minds, is why the American Prius didn’t include this switch to start with.  It’s on all the European and Asian models, so why not ours?

The answer isn’t so simple and involves obscure EPA regulations.  In the end, it was cheaper for Toyota to bypass the regulations by not including the switch than it was to submit to the extra testing and safety requirements the intact switch would require.  So that’s what they did.

Also, once you’ve talked to people who’ve installed this mod, you find out something else: it’s nearly useless.

In EV mode, the Prius (before the 2010 model) is capable of only about 34mph and that only for about 25 miles before the engine automatically kicks in to recharge the batteries (EV mode or not).  Plus, the electronics are made to override many things in order to keep the batteries and motor safe, so any over-acceleration, over-use of the batteries (A/C, radio, etc.) and so forth will cause the engine to start up regardless.

One user even went so far as to say that he only uses his EV switch to tool around the parking lot, drive to the corner grocery store, and move the car in and out of the garage when he’s working inside.  None of those seem like good enough reasons to spend the time and money to install this mod.  I mean, “tool around the parking lot?”  For what?  The other two are just ridiculous.  Get a bike for the store and push the car out of the garage for Pete’s sake.

The 2010 model ads a few things to this mix as well.  First, the EV-only mode is automatic (no more buttons), second it’s a lot more functional (longer range, better speeds, etc.) and finally, it plugs in–something the earlier models can’t do without extensive modifications.

Oh, ya, the solar panel roof top.  Nearly forgot about that “innovation.”  Oi

At any rate, the new version of the Prius does have some big changes to it, so the debate over whether it’s “really all that new” is kind of ridiculous.  Now let’s see if Toyota comes out with a trimmed-down model to compete with the Honda Insight in price.

Sources: 1, 2