Quote:
Originally Posted by oldtamiyaphile
Hence the hybrid.
|
The electric wouldn't make much sense if I could nearly complete my commute on the battery, but then have the engine come on in the last 2 miles. Engines aren't efficient when cold, and 2 miles isn't enough time to get them up to operating temperature.
Too many people are in this position with the gas engine coming on for just the last portion of their commute, as I have observed in the Priuschat forum. I would guess that extending the range to even just 20 miles would eliminate the need for the gas engine to come on for most people...
I just did some
research and am surprised to learn that a good portion of commuters have a commute of 5 miles or less in the U.S.
About 30% of people would be able to make a round trip to work and back on the 12 mile range of the Prius battery.
If people could plug in at work, that allows another 25% of commuters to make their journey on battery power alone.
Based on the info below, it seems 20 miles would be a good range for most people.
1-5 Miles 29 %
6-10 Miles 22 %
11-15 Miles 17 %
16-20 Miles 10 %
21-25 Miles 7 %
26-30 Miles 5 %
31-35 Miles 3 %
35 + Miles 8 %