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Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid

The latest evolution of Toyota's enduringly popular Prius is set to offer unrivalled efficiency, and put Toyota back at the forefront of low-emissions technology.

Toyota Prius Plug-in

By Paul Bond

June 2010

This is a Prius like no other – a plug-in electric Hybrid which Toyota claims will do an astonishing 108.6mpg and emit just 59g/km of C02.  

The biggest difference between this car and the regular third-generation Prius is in it’s electric power source. The Plug-in version uses Lithium-ion batteries for the first time in a Toyota. They can carry more energy and recharge faster (a full charge now takes just 90 minutes) than the smaller nickel-metal hydride units fitted to the current Auris and Prius hybrids.

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Toyota Prius

 

Although they add an extra 130kg to the kerbweight, the new batteries increase the all-electric range from two miles to a much more useful 12.5, while the top-speed in EV mode is now 62mph. That means that during most town driving, the 1.8-litre petrol engine remains firmly off, only stirring into life if the throttle is pushed right to the floor.  

During our test the engine only cut in once, and the transition between the two power deliveries is completely seamless. The Prius is eerily quiet, but still performs reasonably well - the electric motor providing enough power and torque to easily keep up with traffic.

The rest of the car’s mechanicals are carried over from the normal Prius – so it has the same cushioned ride and slightly numb steering, but also feels much more like a production car than an early prototype.  

The only drawback is that Lithium-ion batteries are heavy and expensive to produce, so expect the Plug-in to command a significant premium over the standard car when it goes on sale at the start of 2012.

The model we drove is one of 600 taking part in a three-year global trial to assess how advanced electric vehicles like the Prius perform in real-world conditions, and to understand how and when people will want to charge them.     

Toyota are expecting to have sold 3,000,000 hybrids by the end of this year, and the Japanese firm’s expertise shows in the build quality. Their gamble is that until there is a major leap in battery technology, Plug-ins like the Prius will be the best compromise between efficiency and usability, while fully electric cars will remain a niche choice.

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6 Comments

The purchase price needs to be competitive to sell them

Until there are further advances in battery technology this new Prius seems to be the best way of helping to save the planet.

Unfortunately, if it is going to be a lot more expensive than a normal car, the price will stop most people from buying one.

By jamesmclaughlin on 25 June, 2010, 11:27am

I agree

I reckon it will be a lot more expensive than the standard hybrid. That's why I would rather have the standard hybrid over this.

By JPW2010 on 26 June, 2010, 9:54am

Until all electricity is manufactured in a green manner (i.e. wind farms, solar power etc.) then hybrids will be little more than a silly gimmick fooling people into thinking that they're making a difference, when in fact they are worsening the matter. What's wrong with hydrogen? Stupid Toyota.

By V_A_E on 26 June, 2010, 5:00pm

I'm sure it ca easily sell the 600.. duh!! it's to assess the viablity of all electric.. Btw hybrids is nt all abut green it'sabout economy too...

To be honest centralised power farm bei it coalor nuclear is beter than millions of cars spewing pollution evrywhere.... The centralised power station can improve on their co2 /pollution control etc..

I'm sure Toyot are in parallell assessing hydrogen as have Honda so don;t go jumping to conclusions yet.

By hugo_b on 1 July, 2010, 7:32pm

Hiker_Biker

Price will be a determinant factor as far as the popularity of the PHEV Prius is concerned. Let's hope Toyota is not going to be greedy: they should charge no more than £23K for the T model. Then the Government's £5K grant will make this car much more affordable.

By Hiker_Biker on 4 March, 2011, 9:18pm

More deceipt

While it is a good improvement to fit higher capacity batteries so that urban driving can be accomplished on electric power alone, I see no logical explanation as to why this should improve overall economy by 50 % compared to the current Prius. If you do a long journey (a few hundred miles), well over 90% of the energy needed will have to come from the petrol engine. This is apparently unchanged from the current Prius so how can such an improved claim be justified? The only explanation I can think of is that the EU tests on which these claims are based have not kept up with technology and are not fit for purpose for hybrid vehicles. Something for AE to investigate?

By mikeo on 22 December, 2011, 11:39am

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Toyota Prius Plug-in
Toyota Prius Plug-in
Toyota Prius Plug-in

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FIRST OPINION

    This Plug-in version of the Prius gives a positive snap-shot of the future of Toyota’s low-carbon cars, its unrivalled efficiency combined with increased practicality will appeal to a much broader range of buyers than more expensive electric cars that don’t have a conventional engine to fall back on. We only hope it keeps these admirable characteristics – and a competitive price tag - when it arrives in two years time. 

 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: TBAEngine: 1.8-litre VVT + 650v Electric Motor.  Transmission: Front-wheel drive, e-CVT gearboxPower/Torque: 134bhp/142Nm  O-62mph: 13.7 secondsTop speed: 112mph Kerb weight: 1,500kgsEconomy/CO2: 108.6 (comb)/59g/km Standard Equipment: 15-inch alloy wheels, climate control,  leather multifunction steering wheel, automatic stop/start, traction control. On Sale: Now   
 
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