This a a plug in hybrid though, so if you can't charge it why are you buying a plug in hybrid? So that point is moot, although I disagree with it for other reas

This a a plug in hybrid though, so if you can't charge it why are you buying a plug in hybrid? So that point is moot, although I disagree with it for other reasons. Plus, your position seems to preclude any kind of electrification, so why build a Prius to start with? Ultimately. Compared to the previous Prius, they've increase engine size. That increases weight and cost. Assuming batteries have come down in price they can use that saving either (broadly) to lower the price of the car, increase electric range, or increase the IC power. They chose to spend some of this saving on a bigger engine. Why? Smaller engine would equal less weight, increasing electric range, so would spending the money on a bigger battery. I kind of see your point that batteries are expensive, X% of journeys are less than X miles so it makes sense to decarbonise that first X%, even if it's not cost effective to decarbonise them all. but as batteries get cheaper, the range of hybrids should be increasing, as the break even point changes.