Toyota PHEV

[stewartm]

From the French site, interesting info though on the solar on the car roof can give 5km per day, doesn't seem much but interesting all the same;
www.toyota.fr/world-of-toyota/articles-news-events/2016/all-new-prius-plug-in-hybrid.json?utm_campaign=general-newsletter-prospect-2017-1&utm_medium=email&utm_source=toyota&utm_content=local-newsletter-toyota-newsletter--prospect-toyota

[4wardthinking]

Sadly, the greedy Feral Gov stopped the import of the PHEV Prius.
I've read a number of salient articles on solar charging of the PHEV versions. The double sided, flexible solar sheets area great idea to use. The only down-side is water ingress. The reports are varied on this part, the power from the roof area to inside was the main issue they had.
I did look at similar on my standard Prius, but the useable energy was far out-weighed by the costs to correctly charge the pack. The PHEV is a standardish! Power feed, and regulated as per the chemistry.
It's surprising how many more eco friendly vehicles do exist beyond our gold-fish bowl, and more so how much it is encouraged, which filters faster to the areas of population that make up the greatest load on our planet.... and their wallet.

[stewartm]

How did the Government stop the import? This would surely be a company decision.

[hieronymous]

It probably won't surprise you that the Prius PHEV (Gen 3) is available in NZ - Toyota imports them, fully refurbishes them inside and out to Kiwi specs in its own factory, and markets them as Signature Class with a 5-year warranty. Depending on year (2012-2015), grade and odo reading (<20,000km), they are marketed between $35-$40K. Some are G-grade with leather option - radar cruise etc.

[4wardthinking]

Jan 13, 2017 12:35:28 GMT 11 stewartm said:

How did the Government stop the import? This would surely be a company decision.

Look at Nissan. The aim to sell cars, but pricing is what appears to be the killer.
Price landed to price to customer.
The great veil of " aussies don't want them" gets thrown over anything that doesn't spurt hydrocarbon by-products out the back, and generate massive tax returns.
It's quite remarkable that Au differs from a vast majority of first world countries would you not say?.
Of course it's a final say that the manufacturer isn't importing them, but the reason business cannot be realistically done is Feral controlled.
There's been a lot of under-hand going-on as they say.
Of course I'd be willing to test any other ideas on the subject, but to press, none tabled worked.