Seth wrote: > Well, the 90Ah modules that smoke are definitely EV modules. The Prius > isn't an EV, it is an HEV, and has a *very* limited EV only mode, being > that it requires light throttle and speeds where wind drag is low. If > the batteries never really get discharged, then they are likely not to > fail by virtue of never being really used. And in HEV mode, long term > reduction in battery performance is easy to conceal with the ICE. > > The Honda hybrid strategy makes it even easier to cover up a reduction > in battery performance, as it has *no* non-ICE mode.
So perhaps the electric advantage (in terms of mpg and emissions) starts to go away when the batteries start to fail? I'd like to know the battery management scene in the Prius (or Insight) with, what is it, ~300V divided by 1.25V/cell cells. If the cells start to drop out, and the capacity of the pack starts doing funky things, then there will be less "room" for regen'd-energy, and less to draw from to supply the motor to help the gas engine out. As the pack wears out, the car might in effect just become another gas car... Chuck Hursch Larkspur, CA www.geocities.com/nbeaa
