Ed, Once again - this is comparing apples to oranges.
The current Prius is not really relevant to this market niche, which can be called the "most efficient and affordable HEV." The Pius is really in a quasi-luxury niche and its present price indicates this. The goal is for double the mileage of the Prius. Of course the PHEV gets infinite "mileage" but that neglects the energy of the grid power. There is a good balance - which goes beyond what the current Prius can do, but does not require as long a range as the Volt. Toyota is moving in this direction already. Sure - the Prius has a large ICE now -- but that is primarily because it has an undersized electric motor. If and when the electric motor is properly sized for hills and for acceleration BY ITSELF -- then the backup ICE can be much smaller, since it does not ever power the vehicle directly.- and in fact it only powers a genset. when the batteries get low. The range on batteries will be half or less what the PHEV like the Volt must have and they do not need to lithium. Since the small ICE can operate at its most efficient rpm range, regardless of the slower speed of the car, then a smaller ICE is adequate for this design. After all - even a 500 cc motorcylce engine can produce 30 kW at its highest power - which is more than adequate for any hill with a small hybrid -- when the electric motor itself is correctly sized. Jones
