Last updated on July 13th, 2023 at 05:06 pm
Interestingly, a Prius Prime stands out after the 25 EV miles before using any gasoline. Once the plug-in power depletes, the Prius Prime functions like any hybrid vehicle that combines gas and electric motor. As regards this stage, the Prius Prime is rated impressive as it uses 54 miles per gallon of fuel.
However, charging the Prius Prime is quick and straightforward since it has an onboard charger of 3.3 kW. You could also use a conventional outlet of 120 volts to recharge the Prius Prime at about 5.5 hours. But with a highly rated Level 2 240 volts charging station, the reduced charging period would be 2 hours. Remember that Prius Prime doesn’t support a DC fast charging method.
So far, if you were contemplating how much electricity it takes to charge a Prius Prime, this article will examine and bring to lamplight answers to these typical questions, such as, how many amps does it take to charge a Prius prime, can I use an extension cord to charge my Prius prime, how many kilowatts are needed to fully charge an electric car, how do you charge a Prius prime at home and more.
Let’s get started!
How Many Amps Does It Take To Charge A Prius Prime?
It takes about 15 amps to charge a Prius Prime. Although this 15amps and a battery charge of 3.3kw, using a 120volt Level 1 charger would entirely recharge a Prius Prime for about 5 hours 30 minutes. But, if you use the same 15amps with a level 2, 240volt charger, a Prius Prime would go faster at 2 hours and 25 minutes.
Should I Charge My Prius Prime Every Night?
Charging your Prius Prime every night depends on how much you drive and your Prius Prime’s range. Regarding these conditions, if, for instance, your Prius Prime has 84 miles of range and you drive 50+ miles daily, you would surely want to plug in and charge every night. The average in the US is to drive 40 miles per day. In such a case, it would not make sense to plug in and charge daily. Perchance, from my experience in the automobile industry, and interactions with countless Prius Prime owners, most Prius Prime drivers only plug in daily. So, I recommend you wait to plug in your Prius Prime every night to avoid shortening the lifespan of your battery.
Can You Leave Prius Prime Plugged In Overnight?
Of course, you can certainly leave your Prius Prime plugged in overnight; most people do. At some point, you could wonder if leaving your vehicle plugged in while asleep is okay. You could also worry about fire damage or the chances that your vehicle could continue to draw power, and more electrical bills would accumulate. Far from it, the concept of fire damage is low, and once your car reaches the battery level you have set it to charge to, it will simply stop drawing electricity.
Can I Use An Extension Cord To Charge My Prius Prime?
No, you can’t use an extension cord to charge your Prius Prime. Although charging your Prius Prime requires more electric power than your standard household appliances, most domestic extension cords can’t transfer much electric power. In effect, these extension cords would increase the tendency of electrical fires and, more likely electric shock.
As regards the above effects, the Electric Safety Foundation International has cautioned electric and hybrid owners to disregard the use of extension cords.
How Many Kilowatts Are Needed To Fully Charge An Electric Car?
Generally, to completely charge an electric car requires about 7.2kW of electricity. This figure may vary depending on the home charger and the mode. Although, most EVs use 32 to 40 amps, connected to 240 volts outlet in your home.
How Do You Charge A Prius Prime At Home?
With Prius Prime, you can top off your battery anytime you are parked at home instead of seeking to refuel. Topping off your Prius Prime helps give the driver as much range as possible. So far, charging your vehicle at home is similar to charging your phones or laptops.
Here are the simple steps for charging a Prius Prime at home.
- Get your Prius Prime plug-in charger from the trunk.
- Fix the fitting end to the outlet.
- Open the charging port of your Prius Prime.
- Plug the charger into the vehicle’s charging port.
- Push the trigger button at the back of the charger to initiate charging. A green light would illuminate the bottom of the charging panel, signifying charging.
- You would have a complete charge at 5.5 hours if using an outlet of 120 volts. But if you want to reduce the charging time, use an outlet of 240 volts or upgrade your charger to a Level 2 charger.
- Press the small button on the charger to disconnect as you close up the charging port and return the charger to the trunk.
Bravo, you now have a complete charging session!
How Long Do Prius Prime Batteries Last?
Prius Prime batteries would usually last for a period of 3 to 5 years. Although, this time frame depends on weather conditions, battery type, driving habits, and battery size.
In essence, just because your battery isn’t dead doesn’t imply that it is operating flawlessly. For this, it is necessary to have your battery checked out each time you visit any service center or your certified mechanic.
Notwithstanding, you would also prolong the lifespan of your Prius Prime batteries if you do the following;
- Starting your vehicle constantly. Do not let the vehicle’s battery stay unused for an extended period.
- Keep your vehicle from extreme weather conditions.
- Clean the terminal of your battery to avoid corrosion.
- Proactively test your battery.
- Keep your battery tightly fastened.
What Outlet Do You Need For Prius Prime?
The outlet needed for your Prius Prime is mainly standard 15 amp 120 volts, while 240 volts is for the charging station. However, a typical 240 volts charging station outlet charges twice the 120 volts. If you want to decrease your charging time and enhance convenience, a certified electrician might install a 240-volts 15 amps outlet in your home.
Can You Use AC While Charging Prius Prime?
You can use your air conditioning system when charging your Prius Prime. It is safe to use your AC while your vehicle is on charge. Although this climate control (AC) takes up some power from the charging battery but doesn’t need more power to stop the charging. As regards technological advancement, you can control the internal functions of your vehicle while it is charging.
How Often Does 12v Battery Gets Replaced On Toyota Prius Prime?
To replace a 12-volt battery for Toyota Prius Prime would take about 3 to 5 years. Notwithstanding, you should test the vehicle’s battery for any voltage drop to ensure it is working at a standard level. Your Toyota Prius Prime battery would transmit about 12 to 13 volts unless your vehicle has a higher-performance battery system. Invariably, anything more than 13 volts might indicate a wrecked battery.
Conclusion
In my final words, Prius Prime’s battery has a capacity of 8.8 kWh, and you can charge it using a 120-volt Level 1 charger. With an outlet of 15 amps and 120 volts, your Prime would charge for 5 hours and 30 minutes. But with a Level 2 charger such as; a Juicebox of 32 or 40, your battery would charge fully, allowing you to cover additional miles and in less cost electricity.
Remember, you should not use an extension cord to charge EVs or hybrid vehicles. And ensure to follow the steps mentioned in this article as you endeavor to take the time advantages of charging your Prius Prime vehicle faster and more conveniently as you save some dollars. Do like and share this post with others!
