Toyota Prius

07th August 2007

Drivers can switch on with this latest hybrid – a Toyota Prius you can plug in. The Japanese company is the first major car manufacturer to launch this latest development of eco-friendly motoring.

Called the Plug-in HV, it uses the same nickel-metal hydride batteries as the existing Prius, but they can now be topped up using a home electricity supply. As a result, the Toyota can run faster and further without using its petrol motor.

Engineers claim that the cruising range on battery power alone has increased from just under two miles to eight. Other benefits of the system are lower CO2 emissions and a rise in fuel efficiency. If you charge the cells up overnight when electricity use is cheaper, then running costs will be reduced even further. At present, eight of the hi-tech mach­ines are being evaluated in Japan, with tests planned for Europe and the US, too. The Plug-in HV will arrive in dealers within two years.

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