Burns Coal instead of Gasoline...
13 miles for a 3 hour charge?
It's Ugly, why can't they make it look like a decent car?
I'll stick to my 36MPG civic from the mid 90's for economy, and my beefed up Fuel guzzling Jeep Wrangler when I want some fun.
I'll pass on the hyped up yuppimobile, and it's 13 mile 3 hour coal fired charge.

Seattle has no coal powered electrical generation since hydro is dominant in the very wet region, but even if it were the pollution from the coal generation is considerably less than from the gasoline that would've been burned. The 13 miles per 1 1/2 or 3 hour charge is unimpressive and valuable only to people who have a shorter commute or errand pattern than the average suburbanite. The Plug-in Prius doesn't seem to be the answer to any question I can think of, but I also don't see the sensibility of driving a dinosaur gas guzzler for fun either.

A dinosaur gas guzzler? (I have taken slight offense) It's only 11 years old, and I'm assuming you have never gone up into the Northwest mountains, sand dunes, beaches, high mountain lakes etc? Well of course you haven't... unless you're willing to have a seat in a 4WD "Gas Guzzling dinosaur". Your Prius/Honda/Toyota, and even a Subaru wouldn't make it ten feet up the roads I drive.

I'm sure you also don't see the sensibility in say... having a motorbike for fun? or perhaps a boat for fun?

Well... Gee... why do i need that fishinpole for fishin, when i can just use this string tied to my finder...

The Jeep is a mode of transportation (tool) that will take me wherever I desire to travel, roads or not, summer (without the top/doors) and winter (with chains/4WD), and yes, It's a real kick in the pants to drive!

I'm sorry if you don't ever get to have fun. Maybe I can change your mind... Just stop by Oregon sometime, and I'll show you some of the best countryside, wildlife, and views of your life.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKTOyiKLARk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOvp69lnZbA&NR=1

A different take on the Prius... it is a take on the hybrid, not the plug-in...

Nice going/smugging. It will be interesting to see what real-world range you get in electric before the engine cuts in.

It does not matter when the EV mode runs out, it's a hybrid. (it has an IC generator). That small charge satisfies the requirements of a large percentage of commuting miles. The pollutants from the electric generation are far less than the pollutants from the petroleum combustion. I know all of you regular posters know this, but many of you continue to put on your boob glasses.

I'm still waiting for them to make the Prius (or other electric) that can be used as a backup generator for my house. I know individuals have done it, but the manufacturers are ignoring the possibilities I think.

The rolling road block known as the Prius, still is using a petrol motor. If they had used a diesel instead then it would of made sense, sort of.

It's still butt ugly, too small and impractical ( for a volvo wagon guy), and the ev range is too short for average real world commuting.

I won't be buying one anytime this century..

Oh and resale value , er what resale value.. any Prius over 6 years old has $0 resale value except for scrap at least here in Oz, something to do with having to replace the battery..

1981, 78MPG, runs perfect and goes anywhere!

Green as you can get, backpack carries a 12 pack, seating for two!

We have had lots of these in the UK for some time. The Lexus CT200 is an up-market version and I enjoyed my test drive, most surprised about its "sports mode". I assume the Prius has the same?

Going to be interesting to see the Vauxhall Ampera next year