Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid
Encyclopedia
The Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid is a mid-size
plug-in hybrid electric vehicle
(PHEV) to be produced by Toyota Motor Corporation
and scheduled to be released to the market beginning in January 2012. The Prius PHEV is based on a third generation Toyota Prius (model ZVW30)
outfitted with 4.4 kWh lithium-ion batteries co-developed with Panasonic
, which enable all-electric operation at higher speeds and longer distances than the conventional Prius hybrid. The production version was unveiled at the September 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.
The Prius plug-in total all-electric range
is 14.3 mi (23 km), has a expected total range of 475 miles (764.4 km), and a maximum electric only speed of 62 mph (100 km/h). The lithium-ion battery pack can be charged in 180 minutes at 120 volts or in 90 minutes at 240 volts. According to Toyota the Prius plug-in is expected to be rated at 112 mpgU.S. (47.6 km/L) and
emissions of 49 g/km.
A global demonstration program involving 600 pre-production test cars
has been ongoing since 2010 in Japan
, Europe
, Canada
, China
, Australia
, New Zealand
and the United States
. Retail sales are scheduled to begin in Japan in January 2012, and by early 2012 in Europe. Deliveries of the Prius Plug-in in the United States are scheduled to begin the second quarter of 2012, but the plug-in will be initially available only in 14 states with a national rollout planned for 2013. Pricing in Japan starts at including consumption tax. Sales price in the U.S. will start at plus a delivery fee and before any applicable government incentives. Toyota is aiming to achieve initial worldwide sales of 50,000 vehicles annually, and also announced that initially expects to sell 15,000 units a year in the U.S. and between 35,000 to 40,000 units in Japan.
The Prius Plug-In Concept was exhibited at the September 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, the October 2009 Tokyo Motor Show
, and the December 2009 LA Auto Show
. After displaying the concept version in these three shows, on December 2009 Toyota officially announced the introduction of the production model in Japan during the following six months.
are based on a third generation Toyota Prius (model ZVW30) outfitted with 5.2 kWh lithium-ion batteries. The selected battery capacity is the minimum required for the Prius Plug-in to be eligible to the U.S. federal tax credit of USD2,500, which is applicable to the first 200,000 plug-ins sold by Toyota according to the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009.
The Prius Plug-in uses three different batteries, two to provide all-electric drive and a third battery engages when the first two are depleted, allowing the car to operate in hybrid mode, like a regular 50-mpg Prius. According to Toyota, when the vehicle starts, the plug-in operates in all-electric mode, drawing electrical power directly from the first battery pack. When its charge is depleted, it disconnects from the circuit and the second pack engages and supplies electrical energy to the motor. When the second pack is depleted again it disconnects from the circuit and the system defaults to conventional hybrid mode
, using the main battery as the sole electrical power source. Pack one and pack two will not reengage in tandem with the main battery pack until the vehicle is plugged in and charged.
According to Toyota the Prius plug-in demonstrator is rated at 134 mpgU.S. (57 km/L) on the Japanese JC08 cycle with a combined efficiency based on a 43.6% of driving in EV mode, and
emissions of 41 g/km. Fuel efficiency
operating as a gasoline-electric hybrid, like the regular Prius, is 72 mpgU.S. (30.6 km/L) with emissions of 76 g/km.
energy to the electric-vehicle battery, rather than the regular hybrid system battery, thus providing additional range in EV mode.
The Prius Plug-in Hybrid uses the Hybrid Synergy Drive
of the standard Prius
model, with enhanced capabilities that incorporates a 4.4 kWh lithium-ion battery that significantly expands the all-electric range
as compared to the regular Prius, and fully rechargeable from a domestic source. The hybrid system includes a 1.8-liter DOHC 16-valve VVT-i gasoline engine
that develops 98 hp @ 5200 rpm, and 105 lb-ft (142 N·m) @ 4000 rpm, a third-generation hybrid transaxle, a power control unit (PCU), and an on-board charging system. The system uses two high-output electric motor
s, one 60 kW unit (MG2) that mainly works to power the compact, lightweight transaxle, and another smaller motor (MG1) rated at 42 kW that works as the electric power source for battery regeneration and as a starter for the gasoline engine. Maximum motor-drive voltage is 650 volt
s DC
. After the electric driving range is exhausted, the plug-in switches into hybrid operation at a pre-determined state of battery charge
(SOC) and operates as a conventional full hybrid with a similar efficiency of a standard Prius. Net hybrid system output is 134 bhp, allowing the Prius Plug-in accelerates from 0 to 62 mph
(0 to 100 km/h) in 10.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 112 mph (50.1 m/s). The maximum speed in EV mode is 62 mph (100 km/h). With a weight of approximately 1420 kg (3,130.6 lb), the plug-in version is only 50 kg (110.2 lb) heavier than the regular Prius.
The Prius Plug-in has three drive modes, all-electric (EV), and two hybrid modes: Eco and Power. The EV mode is user-selectable and when running in this mode the hybrid engine control unit
(ECU) operates the vehicle using only the larger motor-generator
(MG2) if pre-determined parameters are satisfied, such as sufficient battery state of charge (SOC) and vehicle speed within EV mode range. The Eco mode is designed to maximize fuel savings for any driving conditions, and modifies or smoothes out the electronic throttle control
program to reduce throttle response, reducing the throttle opening to a maximum of 11.6%, and also modifies the operation of the air conditioning system. As an additional benefit, the Eco mode improves performance in low-traction conditions because the reduced output helps to minimize wheel skidding such as those caused by ice and snow. Power mode increases throttle response in the middle range more than normal.
expanded from 13 mi (20.9 km) in the demonstration version to 14.3 mi (23 km) in the production version. Under the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cycle, and based on internal testing, Toyota estimates that the all-electric range
varies between approximately 10 to 15 mi (16.1 to 24.1 km) on a full charge depending on quick acceleration and braking, road and vehicle conditions, or climate control use. Under the JC08 Japanese test cycle the Prius PHEV range is 26.4 km (16.4 mi), 3 km (1.9 mi) more than the 23.4 km (14.5 mi) achieved by the demonstrator.
The lithium-ion battery developed for the Prius Plug-in fits under the rear cargo floor and weights 80 kg (176.4 lb). As a comparison, the nickel-metal hydride battery of the third generation Prius
, which has a capacity of only 1.3kWh, weighs 42 kg (92.6 lb). A full charge using an external AC outlet takes approximately 2.5 to 3.0 hours from a standard North American 120V
15A
household outlet, or 1.5 hours using a standard European 230V household outlet. The included charging cable connects to the charging port inlet located on the right-rear fender. The charge port location was moved from the front driver-side fender in the demonstration model based on input from the program participants. The battery charger cable weighs just 3.75 lb (1.7 kg), has 24 feet (7.3 m) in length, and fits in its own compartment in the trunk area. The charge port provides LED
(Light Emitting Diode) illumination for convenient night-time charging. A timer allows charging to take place during off-peak hours and can be set for both start and end times.
emissions of 49 g/km under the New European Driving Cycle
(NEDC). According to Toyota's internal testing, for the U.S. market both the basic and advanced trims are expected to deliver an EPA rated fuel economy in combined EV and hybrid mode of 87 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent
(MPG-e) (2.7 L/100 km; 104 mpg-imp) and 49 mpgU.S. (20.8 km/L) in combined city/highway in hybrid mode
.
Based on the JC08 Japanese test cycle, the Prius PHEV fuel efficiency is 61.0 km/L (143 mpg-US, 1.64 L/100km), calculated from combined all-electric (EV) and hybrid (HV) driving modes, with only 38 g/km of CO2 emissions. The electric power consumption rate is 8.74 km/kWh. After the the battery has been depleted, the HV mode fuel efficiency is 31.6 km/L (74.3 mpg-US, 3.16 L/100km).
In the United States the Prius Plug-in Hybrid will be available in two models, the standard Prius Plug-in and the Prius Plug-in Advanced, and offered in five exterior colors. The standard trim level includes all the features of the 2012 Prius Two Liftback grade, plus some features from the Prius Three and Prius Four grades. Standard features include heated front seats, remote air conditioning system (which can run either off the grid while the vehicle is plugged in or off the battery like the third-generation Prius), a charger timer, EV/ECO/POWER modes, three-door smart key with push-button start, new touch-screen display audio with navigation and an integrated backup camera, Toyota Entune
, and LED
daytime running lights. Additional features of the Prius Plug-in Advanced include head-up display
, LED headlamps, softex interior seat trim, eight-way adjustable power driver seat, JBL
premium audio and HDD navigation system and exclusive Entune Plug-in Hybrid Applications for smartphones. Additional safety features in the Advanced model include the Pre-Collision System with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and Safety Connect
system.
, Manitoba
, Ontario
and Québec
. Canada is home to Toyota's global cold weather research center in Northern Ontario, and the country's cold weather will serve to evaluate its adverse effect on battery performance and range.
In July 2010 the first demonstration Prius PHEV was delivered in Manitoba. The unit will be shared and tested by four partners: Manitoba Hydro
, Manitoba Innovation, Energy and Mines, and the University of Manitoba
. There are 15 trial partners in the four provinces that are part of the first phase of the Canadian demonstration trial.
, the United Kingdom
and Germany
. The largest fleet was deployed in Strasbourg
, France
, with 70 units.
was launched in April 2010. The 3-year program involves 70 Prius Plug-ins and the deployment of dedicated charging infrastructure. The program will set up more than 150 charging points
at private parking lots of firms participating in the program, user homes, public parking lots and on public roads. The program is run by Électricité de France
(EDF) in partnership with Toyota and the City and the Urban Community of Strasbourg
, and is financially supported through a research fund managed by the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME).
The City and the Urban Community of Strasbourg will lease five Prius Plug-ins and also provide a subsidy to the local carsharing
company to lease three Prius PHEVs. The remaining vehicles will be leased to other public institutions and private companies.
with ten Prius Plug-ins and the corresponding dedicated charging infrastructure
. The program will be run by
German energy provider EnBW
.
to carried out a three year trial, and as part of the program a number of charging bays
will be deployed in London
. The trial Prius Plug-in Hybrids will be available through leasing to public sector organizations and business users. Among the organizations that received the first Prius Plug-ins are Transport for London
, the Government Car and Despatch Agency
, the Metropolitan Police Service
, News International
and Sky
.
. The rental fees are for up to six hours, for up to 12 hours, for up to 24 hours, and for each additional day.
’s SmartGridCity program in Boulder, Colorado
. The research project was coordinated by the University of Colorado at Boulder
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI). Boulder offered the opportunity of monitoring the performance of Toyota’s first generation lithium-ion battery at high altitude and under cold climate. Other partnerships were made with Qualcomm
, Silicon Valley Leadership Group
, Southern California Air Quality Management District, the University of California at Berkeley and Portland State University
. Other regional programs considered were Northern
and Southern California
, Washington, D.C.
, New York City
, Portland
and Pittsburgh, which offered different conditions for vehicle performance and customer needs.
In June 2010 the first demonstration Prius PHEVs were delivered to Portland State University and the Silicon Valley Leadership Group
. An additional 30 demonstration program vehicles were assigned to Silicon Valley
groups and companies, including the University of California, Berkeley in the following weeks. Also in June 2010 the first three Prius PHEVs were delivered in Southern California
to San Diego Gas & Electric
and the nonprofit California Center for Sustainable Energy. In August 2010 two Prius plug-in hybrids were delivered to be tested in San Francisco's municipal fleet as part of the demonstration program.
Georgetown University
was the first partner in Washington, D.C to participate in the program under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Energy's Clean Cities
Program. Two Prius Plug-ins were loaned in December 2010 and sixteen Georgetown employees are testing the vehicles in three month rotations. Five Prius PHEVs were delivered in New York City
, two units to be tested by New York City Department of Transportation
and three by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
.
As part of the demonstration program, Toyota delivered eight Prius plug-in hybrids to Zipcar
in January 2011. The car sharing firm selected three market to make the plug-in hybrids available to its members, three cars in Boston
and Cambridge, Massachusetts
, three in San Francisco, California
, and two in Portland, Oregon
. Similar to all hybrid
s in Zipcar’s fleet, the Prius plug-in can only be reserved by the hour at an hourly rate of .
Toyota reported the following findings for the European demonstration fleet after nearly a year into the project, representing the driving experience acquired by the participants after 497,100 miles driven:
United Kingdom
Based on the results from less than one year of real-world use for the 20 Prius Plug-in demonstrators leased to EDF Energy, Toyota reported the following findings:
United States
Consumer Reports
field tested the Prius PHEV for two weeks and reported an all-electric range
between 14 to spent upfront at the beginning of each trip. On a 78 miles (125.5 km) commute trip the Prius Plug-in averaged 63.5 miles per US gallon (27 km/L) while on commute trips between 20 to 30 mi (32.2 to 48.3 ) the PHEV averaged 81 miles per US gallon (34.4 km/L) to 86 miles per US gallon (36.6 km/L) with a EV ratio varying from 40 to 56 percent during those trips.
The California Center for Sustainable Energy tested two Prius Plug-in with 13 different drivers during seven weeks and reported an average combined fuel economy of 83 miles per US gallon (35.3 km/L) on an average round trip commute of 22 miles (35.4 km). The best average attained was 97.9 miles per US gallon (41.6 km/L) on an average round trip commute of 48 miles (77.2 km).
Motor Trend
field tested the Prius PHEV for 32 days and reported average CO2 emission
s of 80 g/km (0.28 lb/mile), an average all-electric range of 11.7 miles (18.8 km), and an average combined fuel economy of 70.4 miles per US gallon (29.9 km/L) over the 1880 miles (3,025.6 km) accumulated during their trial.
Based on the testing with 160 consumers across the United States, Toyota reported that users are charging the Prius Plug-in more frequently than the carmaker anticipated, with about 10 charges per week, but the electricity cost was lower than they thought, at about for the entire six-week trial.
for a rebate starting on December 1, 2011. In Quebec
the plug-in will be eligible for a rebate beginning on January 1, 2012, and it is also eligible for a rebate in Ontario
.
electric car. Sales are scheduled to start in the first half of 2012.
. Sales price in the U.S. will start at for the base model and for the advanced trim before any applicable government incentives. All trims are subject to a delivery fee. According to its battery size, the Prius Plug-in should qualify for a federal tax credit of , and it is eligible to additional incentives at the state and local level, such as California's rebate. The Prius Plug-in also qualifies for California's Enhaced Advanced Technology-Partial Zero-Emissions Vehicle
(EAT-PZEV) status, which will allow plug-in owners to have free access to use carpool lanes even when traveling solo.
Production is expected to begin in January 2012, and retail sales are scheduled to begin between March and April 2012. The Prius Plug-in will be initially offered in 14 states: Arizona
, California
, Connecticut
, Maine
, Maryland
, Massachusetts
, New Hampshire
, New Jersey
, New York
, Oregon
, Rhode Island
, Vermont
, Virginia
and Washington. According to Toyota these are the states where nearly 60% of all Prius models are currently sold in the country. The Prius Plug-in will be available in all remaining states in 2013. Toyota announced it expects to sell in the U.S. market around 15,000 units a year initially, and the plug-in hybrid will be available in two trims and five colors.
On April 22, 2011 Toyota introduced its priority registration website for customers interested in ordering the Prius Plug-in Hybrid, even though the purchase price had not been announced at that time. Registration guarantees first access to Toyota’s Online Order System, which is scheduled to begin sales in October 2011, but limited to the 14 launch states. Toyota reported that during its first month since the process began, more than 17,000 potential buyers have signed up through its reservation website, and by mid July 2011, 29,000 potential buyers have registered.
Mid-size car
A mid-size car is the North American/Australian standard for an automobile with a size equal to or greater than that of a compact...
plug-in hybrid electric vehicle
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle
A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle , plug-in hybrid vehicle , or plug-in hybrid is a hybrid vehicle which utilizes rechargeable batteries, or another energy storage device, that can be restored to full charge by connecting a plug to an external electric power source...
(PHEV) to be produced by Toyota Motor Corporation
Toyota Motor Corporation
, , , commonly known simply as Toyota and abbreviated as TMC, is a multinational automaker headquartered in Toyota, Aichi, Japan. In 2010, Toyota Motor Corporation employed 317,734 people worldwide, and was the world's largest automobile manufacturer by production.The company was founded by...
and scheduled to be released to the market beginning in January 2012. The Prius PHEV is based on a third generation Toyota Prius (model ZVW30)
Toyota Prius (XW30)
The Toyota Prius is a mid-size hatchback that has been produced by Toyota. Toyota debuted the third generation Prius at the January 2009 North American International Auto Show, and sales began in Japan on May 18, 2009. Replacing the XW20 series, the XW30 represents the third generation of the...
outfitted with 4.4 kWh lithium-ion batteries co-developed with Panasonic
Panasonic
Panasonic is an international brand name for Japanese electric products manufacturer Panasonic Corporation, which was formerly known as Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd...
, which enable all-electric operation at higher speeds and longer distances than the conventional Prius hybrid. The production version was unveiled at the September 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.
The Prius plug-in total all-electric range
All-electric range
All-electric range is the driving range of a vehicle using only power from its electric battery pack to traverse a given driving cycle. In the case of a battery electric vehicle, it means the total range per charge. For a plug-in hybrid , it means the range of the vehicle in charge-depleting mode...
is 14.3 mi (23 km), has a expected total range of 475 miles (764.4 km), and a maximum electric only speed of 62 mph (100 km/h). The lithium-ion battery pack can be charged in 180 minutes at 120 volts or in 90 minutes at 240 volts. According to Toyota the Prius plug-in is expected to be rated at 112 mpgU.S. (47.6 km/L) and
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...
emissions of 49 g/km.
A global demonstration program involving 600 pre-production test cars
Pre-production car
Pre-production cars are vehicles that allow the automaker to find problems before a new model goes on sale to the public. Pre-production cars come after prototypes, or development mules which themselves are preceded by concept cars...
has been ongoing since 2010 in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Retail sales are scheduled to begin in Japan in January 2012, and by early 2012 in Europe. Deliveries of the Prius Plug-in in the United States are scheduled to begin the second quarter of 2012, but the plug-in will be initially available only in 14 states with a national rollout planned for 2013. Pricing in Japan starts at including consumption tax. Sales price in the U.S. will start at plus a delivery fee and before any applicable government incentives. Toyota is aiming to achieve initial worldwide sales of 50,000 vehicles annually, and also announced that initially expects to sell 15,000 units a year in the U.S. and between 35,000 to 40,000 units in Japan.
Concept car
Tokyo Motor Show
The is a biennial auto show held in October-November at the Makuhari Messe, Chiba City, Japan for cars, motorcycles and commercial vehicles. Hosted by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association , it is a recognized international show by the Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs...
, and the December 2009 LA Auto Show
LA Auto Show
The LA Auto Show is an annual auto show held at the Los Angeles Convention Center in late November/early December. The LA Auto Show is an OICA sanctioned international exhibition and also endorsed by the Greater Los Angeles New Car Dealers Association...
. After displaying the concept version in these three shows, on December 2009 Toyota officially announced the introduction of the production model in Japan during the following six months.
Demonstration vehicle
The pre-production test carsPre-production car
Pre-production cars are vehicles that allow the automaker to find problems before a new model goes on sale to the public. Pre-production cars come after prototypes, or development mules which themselves are preceded by concept cars...
are based on a third generation Toyota Prius (model ZVW30) outfitted with 5.2 kWh lithium-ion batteries. The selected battery capacity is the minimum required for the Prius Plug-in to be eligible to the U.S. federal tax credit of USD2,500, which is applicable to the first 200,000 plug-ins sold by Toyota according to the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009.
The Prius Plug-in uses three different batteries, two to provide all-electric drive and a third battery engages when the first two are depleted, allowing the car to operate in hybrid mode, like a regular 50-mpg Prius. According to Toyota, when the vehicle starts, the plug-in operates in all-electric mode, drawing electrical power directly from the first battery pack. When its charge is depleted, it disconnects from the circuit and the second pack engages and supplies electrical energy to the motor. When the second pack is depleted again it disconnects from the circuit and the system defaults to conventional hybrid mode
Hybrid electric vehicle
A hybrid electric vehicle is a type of hybrid vehicle and electric vehicle which combines a conventional internal combustion engine propulsion system with an electric propulsion system. The presence of the electric powertrain is intended to achieve either better fuel economy than a conventional...
, using the main battery as the sole electrical power source. Pack one and pack two will not reengage in tandem with the main battery pack until the vehicle is plugged in and charged.
According to Toyota the Prius plug-in demonstrator is rated at 134 mpgU.S. (57 km/L) on the Japanese JC08 cycle with a combined efficiency based on a 43.6% of driving in EV mode, and
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...
emissions of 41 g/km. Fuel efficiency
Fuel economy in automobiles
Fuel usage in automobiles refers to the fuel efficiency relationship between distance traveled by an automobile and the amount of fuel consumed....
operating as a gasoline-electric hybrid, like the regular Prius, is 72 mpgU.S. (30.6 km/L) with emissions of 76 g/km.
Production version
Drivetrain
The production Prius Plug-in has a number of key changes from the demonstrations units that were deployed in the field for testing based on that experience and customer feedback. The production version has two key modifications from the demonstration vehicle to improve efficiency. First, Toyota decided to include a selectable electric driving mode (EV mode), allowing drivers to conserve energy for use in those places where EV mode is more efficient, such as city driving. The production Prius PHEV also has the ability to direct the regenerative brakingRegenerative brake
A regenerative brake is an energy recovery mechanism which slows a vehicle or object down by converting its kinetic energy into another form, which can be either used immediately or stored until needed...
energy to the electric-vehicle battery, rather than the regular hybrid system battery, thus providing additional range in EV mode.
The Prius Plug-in Hybrid uses the Hybrid Synergy Drive
Hybrid Synergy Drive
Hybrid Synergy Drive is a set of hybrid car technologies developed by Toyota and used in the company's Auris, Prius, Highlander Hybrid, Camry Hybrid, Estima, Alphard, Lexus CT, Lexus RX 400h/RX 450h, Lexus GS 450h, Lexus LS 600h/LS 600hL, and Lexus HS 250h automobiles. Toyota also licenses its HSD...
of the standard Prius
Toyota Prius (XW30)
The Toyota Prius is a mid-size hatchback that has been produced by Toyota. Toyota debuted the third generation Prius at the January 2009 North American International Auto Show, and sales began in Japan on May 18, 2009. Replacing the XW20 series, the XW30 represents the third generation of the...
model, with enhanced capabilities that incorporates a 4.4 kWh lithium-ion battery that significantly expands the all-electric range
All-electric range
All-electric range is the driving range of a vehicle using only power from its electric battery pack to traverse a given driving cycle. In the case of a battery electric vehicle, it means the total range per charge. For a plug-in hybrid , it means the range of the vehicle in charge-depleting mode...
as compared to the regular Prius, and fully rechargeable from a domestic source. The hybrid system includes a 1.8-liter DOHC 16-valve VVT-i gasoline engine
Engine
An engine or motor is a machine designed to convert energy into useful mechanical motion. Heat engines, including internal combustion engines and external combustion engines burn a fuel to create heat which is then used to create motion...
that develops 98 hp @ 5200 rpm, and 105 lb-ft (142 N·m) @ 4000 rpm, a third-generation hybrid transaxle, a power control unit (PCU), and an on-board charging system. The system uses two high-output electric motor
Electric motor
An electric motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.Most electric motors operate through the interaction of magnetic fields and current-carrying conductors to generate force...
s, one 60 kW unit (MG2) that mainly works to power the compact, lightweight transaxle, and another smaller motor (MG1) rated at 42 kW that works as the electric power source for battery regeneration and as a starter for the gasoline engine. Maximum motor-drive voltage is 650 volt
Volt
The volt is the SI derived unit for electric potential, electric potential difference, and electromotive force. The volt is named in honor of the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta , who invented the voltaic pile, possibly the first chemical battery.- Definition :A single volt is defined as the...
s DC
Direct current
Direct current is the unidirectional flow of electric charge. Direct current is produced by such sources as batteries, thermocouples, solar cells, and commutator-type electric machines of the dynamo type. Direct current may flow in a conductor such as a wire, but can also flow through...
. After the electric driving range is exhausted, the plug-in switches into hybrid operation at a pre-determined state of battery charge
State of charge
State of charge is the equivalent of a fuel gauge for the battery pack in a battery electric vehicle , hybrid vehicle , or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle...
(SOC) and operates as a conventional full hybrid with a similar efficiency of a standard Prius. Net hybrid system output is 134 bhp, allowing the Prius Plug-in accelerates from 0 to 62 mph
0 to 60 mph
The time it takes to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph is a commonly used performance measure for automotive acceleration in the United States and the United Kingdom. In the rest of the world 0 to 100 km/h is used...
(0 to 100 km/h) in 10.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 112 mph (50.1 m/s). The maximum speed in EV mode is 62 mph (100 km/h). With a weight of approximately 1420 kg (3,130.6 lb), the plug-in version is only 50 kg (110.2 lb) heavier than the regular Prius.
The Prius Plug-in has three drive modes, all-electric (EV), and two hybrid modes: Eco and Power. The EV mode is user-selectable and when running in this mode the hybrid engine control unit
Engine control unit
An engine control unit is a type of electronic control unit that determines the amount of fuel, ignition timing and other parameters an internal combustion engine needs to keep running...
(ECU) operates the vehicle using only the larger motor-generator
Motor-generator
A motor-generator is a device for converting electrical power to another form. Motor-generator sets are used to convert frequency, voltage, or phase of power. They may also be used to isolate electrical loads from the electrical power supply line...
(MG2) if pre-determined parameters are satisfied, such as sufficient battery state of charge (SOC) and vehicle speed within EV mode range. The Eco mode is designed to maximize fuel savings for any driving conditions, and modifies or smoothes out the electronic throttle control
Electronic throttle control
Electronic throttle control is an automobile technology which severs the mechanical link between the accelerator pedal and the throttle. Most automobiles already use a throttle position sensor to provide input to traction control, antilock brakes, fuel injection, and other systems, but use a...
program to reduce throttle response, reducing the throttle opening to a maximum of 11.6%, and also modifies the operation of the air conditioning system. As an additional benefit, the Eco mode improves performance in low-traction conditions because the reduced output helps to minimize wheel skidding such as those caused by ice and snow. Power mode increases throttle response in the middle range more than normal.
Battery and range
The production version unveiled at the September 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show has a lithium-ion battery pack that stores 4.4 kWh, but despite its lower capacity, the all-electric rangeAll-electric range
All-electric range is the driving range of a vehicle using only power from its electric battery pack to traverse a given driving cycle. In the case of a battery electric vehicle, it means the total range per charge. For a plug-in hybrid , it means the range of the vehicle in charge-depleting mode...
expanded from 13 mi (20.9 km) in the demonstration version to 14.3 mi (23 km) in the production version. Under the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) cycle, and based on internal testing, Toyota estimates that the all-electric range
All-electric range
All-electric range is the driving range of a vehicle using only power from its electric battery pack to traverse a given driving cycle. In the case of a battery electric vehicle, it means the total range per charge. For a plug-in hybrid , it means the range of the vehicle in charge-depleting mode...
varies between approximately 10 to 15 mi (16.1 to 24.1 km) on a full charge depending on quick acceleration and braking, road and vehicle conditions, or climate control use. Under the JC08 Japanese test cycle the Prius PHEV range is 26.4 km (16.4 mi), 3 km (1.9 mi) more than the 23.4 km (14.5 mi) achieved by the demonstrator.
The lithium-ion battery developed for the Prius Plug-in fits under the rear cargo floor and weights 80 kg (176.4 lb). As a comparison, the nickel-metal hydride battery of the third generation Prius
Toyota Prius (XW30)
The Toyota Prius is a mid-size hatchback that has been produced by Toyota. Toyota debuted the third generation Prius at the January 2009 North American International Auto Show, and sales began in Japan on May 18, 2009. Replacing the XW20 series, the XW30 represents the third generation of the...
, which has a capacity of only 1.3kWh, weighs 42 kg (92.6 lb). A full charge using an external AC outlet takes approximately 2.5 to 3.0 hours from a standard North American 120V
Volt
The volt is the SI derived unit for electric potential, electric potential difference, and electromotive force. The volt is named in honor of the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta , who invented the voltaic pile, possibly the first chemical battery.- Definition :A single volt is defined as the...
15A
Ampere
The ampere , often shortened to amp, is the SI unit of electric current and is one of the seven SI base units. It is named after André-Marie Ampère , French mathematician and physicist, considered the father of electrodynamics...
household outlet, or 1.5 hours using a standard European 230V household outlet. The included charging cable connects to the charging port inlet located on the right-rear fender. The charge port location was moved from the front driver-side fender in the demonstration model based on input from the program participants. The battery charger cable weighs just 3.75 lb (1.7 kg), has 24 feet (7.3 m) in length, and fits in its own compartment in the trunk area. The charge port provides LED
LEd
LEd is a TeX/LaTeX editing software working under Microsoft Windows. It is a freeware product....
(Light Emitting Diode) illumination for convenient night-time charging. A timer allows charging to take place during off-peak hours and can be set for both start and end times.
Fuel economy
According to Toyota the Prius plug-in is expected to be rated at 112 mpgU.S. (47.6 km/L) andCarbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...
emissions of 49 g/km under the New European Driving Cycle
New European Driving Cycle
The New European Driving Cycle is a driving cycle consisting of four repeated ECE-15 driving cycles and an Extra-Urban driving cycle . The NEDC is supposed to represent the typical usage of a car in Europe, and is used, among other things, to assess the emission levels of car engines...
(NEDC). According to Toyota's internal testing, for the U.S. market both the basic and advanced trims are expected to deliver an EPA rated fuel economy in combined EV and hybrid mode of 87 miles per gallon gasoline equivalent
Miles per gallon gasoline equivalent
Miles per gallon gasoline equivalent is a measure of the average distance traveled per unit of energy consumed. MPGe is used by the U.S...
(MPG-e) (2.7 L/100 km; 104 mpg-imp) and 49 mpgU.S. (20.8 km/L) in combined city/highway in hybrid mode
Hybrid electric vehicle
A hybrid electric vehicle is a type of hybrid vehicle and electric vehicle which combines a conventional internal combustion engine propulsion system with an electric propulsion system. The presence of the electric powertrain is intended to achieve either better fuel economy than a conventional...
.
Based on the JC08 Japanese test cycle, the Prius PHEV fuel efficiency is 61.0 km/L (143 mpg-US, 1.64 L/100km), calculated from combined all-electric (EV) and hybrid (HV) driving modes, with only 38 g/km of CO2 emissions. The electric power consumption rate is 8.74 km/kWh. After the the battery has been depleted, the HV mode fuel efficiency is 31.6 km/L (74.3 mpg-US, 3.16 L/100km).
Safety
In the United States the Prius Plug-in includes Toyota's Vehicle Proximity Notification System (VPNS), which is designed to alert pedestrians, the blind, and others of the vehicle's presence due to significant noise reduction typical of a hybrid vehicle traveling at low speeds in EV mode. This type of warning device is mandated by the Pedestrian Safety Enhancement Act of 2010. The warning sound is generated by externally mounted speakers and it activates automatically only at speeds below about 15 mph (6.7 m/s). The pitch varies with the vehicle's speed to give pedestrians a sense of whether the approaching Prius is accelerating or decelerating.Other features
The Prius Plug-in Hybrid shares many of the same exterior and interior design elements as the standard 2012 Prius, keeping the coefficient of drag at . Among the design features exclusive to the plug-in are: unique chrome grille and bumper trim, chrome door handles, unique 15-inch alloy wheels, blue-accented headlamps, a distinct tail lamp design, and a new Hybrid Synergy Drive Plug-in badge.In the United States the Prius Plug-in Hybrid will be available in two models, the standard Prius Plug-in and the Prius Plug-in Advanced, and offered in five exterior colors. The standard trim level includes all the features of the 2012 Prius Two Liftback grade, plus some features from the Prius Three and Prius Four grades. Standard features include heated front seats, remote air conditioning system (which can run either off the grid while the vehicle is plugged in or off the battery like the third-generation Prius), a charger timer, EV/ECO/POWER modes, three-door smart key with push-button start, new touch-screen display audio with navigation and an integrated backup camera, Toyota Entune
Toyota Entune
Toyota Entune is a fully integrated multimedia navigation system using a connected mobile phone to gather information such as traffic updates and information updates. The system utilises mobile apps to provide the driver with information from Bing , OpenTable and movietickets.com, along with...
, and LED
LEd
LEd is a TeX/LaTeX editing software working under Microsoft Windows. It is a freeware product....
daytime running lights. Additional features of the Prius Plug-in Advanced include head-up display
Head-Up Display
A head-up display or heads-up display is any transparent display that presents data without requiring users to look away from their usual viewpoints...
, LED headlamps, softex interior seat trim, eight-way adjustable power driver seat, JBL
JBL
JBL is an American audio electronics company currently owned by Harman International. It was founded in 1946 by James Bullough Lansing. Their primary products are loudspeakers and associated electronics. There are two independent divisions within the company — JBL Consumer and JBL Professional...
premium audio and HDD navigation system and exclusive Entune Plug-in Hybrid Applications for smartphones. Additional safety features in the Advanced model include the Pre-Collision System with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and Safety Connect
Safety Connect
Safety Connect is a subscription-based telematics system introduced by Toyota Motor Corporation in 2009 for its Toyota-branded and Lexus models. The system provides communications, roadside assistance, car safety, remote diagnostics, and other services...
system.
Demonstration program
Toyota's plug-in hybrid electric vehicle project began in 2007, with road trials of a prototype vehicle in France and the UK in 2008. Toyota made available a total of 600 Prius plug-in demonstration vehicles for lease to fleet and government customers, 230 were delivered in Japan beginning in late December 2009, 125 models released in the U.S. by early 2010, and 200 units in Europe in 2010. All program vehicles were sent to limited geographical areas and equipped with special data tracking devices designed to allow Toyota to monitor the car's usage for further development of the plug-in hybrid system.Australia
The demonstration program in Australia will include five Prius Plug-ins will that will be allocated to government agencies.Canada
In March 2010 Toyota launched its demonstration program in Canada with five Prius Plug-ins in partnership with academic institutions, hydro-electric producers, and governmental agencies in each of the four provinces participating in the program: British ColumbiaBritish Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
and Québec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
. Canada is home to Toyota's global cold weather research center in Northern Ontario, and the country's cold weather will serve to evaluate its adverse effect on battery performance and range.
In July 2010 the first demonstration Prius PHEV was delivered in Manitoba. The unit will be shared and tested by four partners: Manitoba Hydro
Manitoba Hydro
Manitoba Hydro is the electric power and natural gas utility in the province of Manitoba, Canada. Founded in 1961, it is a provincial Crown Corporation, governed by the Manitoba Hydro-Electric Board and the Manitoba Hydro Act. Today the company operates 15 interconnected generating stations. It has...
, Manitoba Innovation, Energy and Mines, and the University of Manitoba
University of Manitoba
The University of Manitoba , in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, is the largest university in the province of Manitoba. It is Manitoba's most comprehensive and only research-intensive post-secondary educational institution. It was founded in 1877, making it Western Canada’s first university. It placed...
. There are 15 trial partners in the four provinces that are part of the first phase of the Canadian demonstration trial.
China
On October 28, 2010, Toyota signed an agreement with China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC)on jointly carrying out field trials of the Prius PHEV in China.Europe
Toyota leased 200 units in Europe to selected partners and customers in 18 European countries. A total of 150 demonstrator plug-in went to FranceFrance
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. The largest fleet was deployed in Strasbourg
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
, with 70 units.
France
The demonstration program in StrasbourgStrasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
was launched in April 2010. The 3-year program involves 70 Prius Plug-ins and the deployment of dedicated charging infrastructure. The program will set up more than 150 charging points
Charging station
An electric vehicle charging station, also called EV charging station, electric recharging point, charging point and EVSE , is an element in an infrastructure that supplies electric energy for the recharging of electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric-gasoline vehicles) or semi-static and mobile...
at private parking lots of firms participating in the program, user homes, public parking lots and on public roads. The program is run by Électricité de France
Électricité de France
Électricité de France S.A. is the second largest French utility company. Headquartered in Paris, France, with €65.2 billion in revenues in 2010, EDF operates a diverse portfolio of 120,000+ megawatts of generation capacity in Europe, Latin America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.EDF is one of...
(EDF) in partnership with Toyota and the City and the Urban Community of Strasbourg
Urban Community of Strasbourg
The Urban Community of Strasbourg , also known by its French initials CUS, is the intercommunal structure gathering the city of Strasbourg and some of its suburbs....
, and is financially supported through a research fund managed by the French Environment and Energy Management Agency (ADEME).
The City and the Urban Community of Strasbourg will lease five Prius Plug-ins and also provide a subsidy to the local carsharing
Carsharing
Car sharing or Carsharing is a model of car rental where people rent cars for short periods of time, often by the hour. They are attractive to customers who make only occasional use of a vehicle, as well as others who would like occasional access to a vehicle of a different type than they use...
company to lease three Prius PHEVs. The remaining vehicles will be leased to other public institutions and private companies.
Germany
The demonstration program in Germany will be conducted in Baden-WürttembergBaden-Württemberg
Baden-Württemberg is one of the 16 states of Germany. Baden-Württemberg is in the southwestern part of the country to the east of the Upper Rhine, and is the third largest in both area and population of Germany's sixteen states, with an area of and 10.7 million inhabitants...
with ten Prius Plug-ins and the corresponding dedicated charging infrastructure
Charging station
An electric vehicle charging station, also called EV charging station, electric recharging point, charging point and EVSE , is an element in an infrastructure that supplies electric energy for the recharging of electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric-gasoline vehicles) or semi-static and mobile...
. The program will be run by
German energy provider EnBW
EnBW
EnBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG, or simply EnBW, is a publicly traded electric utilities company headquartered in Karlsruhe, Germany.-History:...
.
United Kingdom
The demonstration trial in the U.K. began in late June 2010 with a fleet of 20 Prius Plug-in Hybrids. Toyota Motor Company partnered with Électricité de FranceÉlectricité de France
Électricité de France S.A. is the second largest French utility company. Headquartered in Paris, France, with €65.2 billion in revenues in 2010, EDF operates a diverse portfolio of 120,000+ megawatts of generation capacity in Europe, Latin America, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.EDF is one of...
to carried out a three year trial, and as part of the program a number of charging bays
Charging station
An electric vehicle charging station, also called EV charging station, electric recharging point, charging point and EVSE , is an element in an infrastructure that supplies electric energy for the recharging of electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric-gasoline vehicles) or semi-static and mobile...
will be deployed in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. The trial Prius Plug-in Hybrids will be available through leasing to public sector organizations and business users. Among the organizations that received the first Prius Plug-ins are Transport for London
Transport for London
Transport for London is the local government body responsible for most aspects of the transport system in Greater London in England. Its role is to implement the transport strategy and to manage transport services across London...
, the Government Car and Despatch Agency
Government Car and Despatch Agency
The Government Car and Despatch Agency is an executive agency of the Department for Transport, responsible for providing logistics services to the United Kingdom government and wider public sector....
, the Metropolitan Police Service
Metropolitan Police Service
The Metropolitan Police Service is the territorial police force responsible for Greater London, excluding the "square mile" of the City of London which is the responsibility of the City of London Police...
, News International
News International
News International Ltd is the United Kingdom newspaper publishing division of News Corporation. Until June 2002, it was called News International plc....
and Sky
Sky Digital (UK & Ireland)
Sky is the brand name for British Sky Broadcasting's digital satellite television and radio service, transmitted from SES Astra satellites located at 28.2° east and Eutelsat's Eurobird 1 satellite at 28.5°E. The service was originally launched as Sky Digital, distinguishing it from the original...
.
Japan
In Japan, TMC will lease approximately 230 units to government ministries, local governments selected for the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's EV & PHV Towns program, corporations such, as electric power companies, and other entities. As part of the demonstration program and beginning in July 2010, two Prius PHV were made available for short-term rental in the city of Gotō, NagasakiGoto, Nagasaki
is a city in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. It comprises the south-west half of the Gotō Islands in the East China Sea, some 100 kilometers from Nagasaki. The city consists of 11 inhabited and 52 uninhabited islands...
. The rental fees are for up to six hours, for up to 12 hours, for up to 24 hours, and for each additional day.
United States
A total of 125 demonstrator plug-ins were deployed in the US since 2010. In October 2009, Toyota announced its first regional program partnership in the U.S. with Xcel EnergyXcel Energy
Xcel Energy, Inc. is a public utility company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, serving customers in Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, and Wisconsin. Primary services are electricity and natural gas...
’s SmartGridCity program in Boulder, Colorado
Boulder, Colorado
Boulder is the county seat and most populous city of Boulder County and the 11th most populous city in the U.S. state of Colorado. Boulder is located at the base of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at an elevation of...
. The research project was coordinated by the University of Colorado at Boulder
University of Colorado at Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado...
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI). Boulder offered the opportunity of monitoring the performance of Toyota’s first generation lithium-ion battery at high altitude and under cold climate. Other partnerships were made with Qualcomm
Qualcomm
Qualcomm is an American global telecommunication corporation that designs, manufactures and markets digital wireless telecommunications products and services based on its code division multiple access technology and other technologies. Headquartered in San Diego, CA, USA...
, Silicon Valley Leadership Group
Silicon Valley Leadership Group
The Silicon Valley Leadership Group, founded in 1978 by David Packard of Hewlett-Packard, represents more than 340 of Silicon Valley's most respected employers on issues, programs and campaigns that affect the economic health and quality of life in Silicon Valley, including energy, transportation,...
, Southern California Air Quality Management District, the University of California at Berkeley and Portland State University
Portland State University
Portland State University is a public state urban university located in downtown Portland, Oregon, United States. Founded in 1946, it has the largest overall enrollment of any university in the state of Oregon, including undergraduate and graduate students. It is also the only public university in...
. Other regional programs considered were Northern
Northern California
Northern California is the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. The San Francisco Bay Area , and Sacramento as well as its metropolitan area are the main population centers...
and Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
, Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, Portland
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
and Pittsburgh, which offered different conditions for vehicle performance and customer needs.
In June 2010 the first demonstration Prius PHEVs were delivered to Portland State University and the Silicon Valley Leadership Group
Silicon Valley Leadership Group
The Silicon Valley Leadership Group, founded in 1978 by David Packard of Hewlett-Packard, represents more than 340 of Silicon Valley's most respected employers on issues, programs and campaigns that affect the economic health and quality of life in Silicon Valley, including energy, transportation,...
. An additional 30 demonstration program vehicles were assigned to Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley is a term which refers to the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California in the United States. The region is home to many of the world's largest technology corporations...
groups and companies, including the University of California, Berkeley in the following weeks. Also in June 2010 the first three Prius PHEVs were delivered in Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
to San Diego Gas & Electric
San Diego Gas & Electric
San Diego Gas & Electric is the utility that provides natural gas and electricity to San Diego County and southern Orange County in southwestern California, United States...
and the nonprofit California Center for Sustainable Energy. In August 2010 two Prius plug-in hybrids were delivered to be tested in San Francisco's municipal fleet as part of the demonstration program.
Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
was the first partner in Washington, D.C to participate in the program under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Energy's Clean Cities
Clean Cities
Clean Cities is a government-industry partnership in the United States that provides regional coalitions with information and incentives from the United States Department of Energy , a large collection of technical data and resources, and coordinated strategies and resources they can leverage to...
Program. Two Prius Plug-ins were loaned in December 2010 and sixteen Georgetown employees are testing the vehicles in three month rotations. Five Prius PHEVs were delivered in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, two units to be tested by New York City Department of Transportation
New York City Department of Transportation
The New York City Department of Transportation is responsible for the management of much of New York City's transportation infrastructure...
and three by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is a bi-state port district, established in 1921 through an interstate compact, that runs most of the regional transportation infrastructure, including the bridges, tunnels, airports, and seaports, within the Port of New York and New Jersey...
.
As part of the demonstration program, Toyota delivered eight Prius plug-in hybrids to Zipcar
Zipcar
Zipcar is an American membership-based car sharing company providing automobile reservations to its members, billable by the hour or day. Zipcar was founded in 2000 by Cambridge, Massachusetts residents Antje Danielson and Robin Chase, and is now led by Scott Griffith, Chairman and Chief Executive...
in January 2011. The car sharing firm selected three market to make the plug-in hybrids available to its members, three cars in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
and Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cambridge is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, in the Greater Boston area. It was named in honor of the University of Cambridge in England, an important center of the Puritan theology embraced by the town's founders. Cambridge is home to two of the world's most prominent...
, three in San Francisco, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, and two in Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
. Similar to all hybrid
Hybrid electric vehicle
A hybrid electric vehicle is a type of hybrid vehicle and electric vehicle which combines a conventional internal combustion engine propulsion system with an electric propulsion system. The presence of the electric powertrain is intended to achieve either better fuel economy than a conventional...
s in Zipcar’s fleet, the Prius plug-in can only be reserved by the hour at an hourly rate of .
Field test results
EuropeToyota reported the following findings for the European demonstration fleet after nearly a year into the project, representing the driving experience acquired by the participants after 497,100 miles driven:
- Two thirds of commute trips traveled a distance of less than 12.5 mi (20.1 km), the expected all-electric rangeAll-electric rangeAll-electric range is the driving range of a vehicle using only power from its electric battery pack to traverse a given driving cycle. In the case of a battery electric vehicle, it means the total range per charge. For a plug-in hybrid , it means the range of the vehicle in charge-depleting mode...
in EV mode. - More than a third of the participants made long distance trips of more than 62 mi (99.8 km) at least once a week.
- Fuel consumption data shows that the Prius PHEV consumed 36% less fuel than the comparable, best-in-class diesel vehicle, and almost 50% less than the best-in-class petrol vehicle.
- The maximum average fuel consumption figure observed was more than 141 mpgimp.
United Kingdom
Based on the results from less than one year of real-world use for the 20 Prius Plug-in demonstrators leased to EDF Energy, Toyota reported the following findings:
- Driving in electric-only (EV) mode has accounted for one third of the distance driven in the demonstration.
- The average trip distance has been 7.3 miles (11.7 km), with 59% of all journeys covering between 3.1 mile.
- Twenty-two percent of drivers have even been able to drive further than the official 12.5 miles (20.1 km) range in EV mode.
- Fuel consumption data indicates performance is 27% better than an equivalent diesel-powered vehicle.
United States
Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports is an American magazine published monthly by Consumers Union since 1936. It publishes reviews and comparisons of consumer products and services based on reporting and results from its in-house testing laboratory. It also publishes cleaning and general buying guides...
field tested the Prius PHEV for two weeks and reported an all-electric range
All-electric range
All-electric range is the driving range of a vehicle using only power from its electric battery pack to traverse a given driving cycle. In the case of a battery electric vehicle, it means the total range per charge. For a plug-in hybrid , it means the range of the vehicle in charge-depleting mode...
between 14 to spent upfront at the beginning of each trip. On a 78 miles (125.5 km) commute trip the Prius Plug-in averaged 63.5 miles per US gallon (27 km/L) while on commute trips between 20 to 30 mi (32.2 to 48.3 ) the PHEV averaged 81 miles per US gallon (34.4 km/L) to 86 miles per US gallon (36.6 km/L) with a EV ratio varying from 40 to 56 percent during those trips.
The California Center for Sustainable Energy tested two Prius Plug-in with 13 different drivers during seven weeks and reported an average combined fuel economy of 83 miles per US gallon (35.3 km/L) on an average round trip commute of 22 miles (35.4 km). The best average attained was 97.9 miles per US gallon (41.6 km/L) on an average round trip commute of 48 miles (77.2 km).
Motor Trend
Motor Trend
Motor Trend is an American automobile magazine. It first appeared in September 1949, issued by Petersen Publishing Company in Los Angeles, and bearing the tag line "The Magazine for a Motoring World". Petersen Publishing was sold to British publisher EMAP in 1998, who sold the former Petersen...
field tested the Prius PHEV for 32 days and reported average CO2 emission
Greenhouse gas
A greenhouse gas is a gas in an atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiation within the thermal infrared range. This process is the fundamental cause of the greenhouse effect. The primary greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone...
s of 80 g/km (0.28 lb/mile), an average all-electric range of 11.7 miles (18.8 km), and an average combined fuel economy of 70.4 miles per US gallon (29.9 km/L) over the 1880 miles (3,025.6 km) accumulated during their trial.
Based on the testing with 160 consumers across the United States, Toyota reported that users are charging the Prius Plug-in more frequently than the carmaker anticipated, with about 10 charges per week, but the electricity cost was lower than they thought, at about for the entire six-week trial.
Market launch
Sales are scheduled to begin in Japan, the U.S., Canada and Europe by early 2012.Canada
The Toyota Prius Plug-in is scheduled to begin sales in the Canadian market in 2012. The Prius Plug-in is eligible in several provinces for purchase rebates. According to its battery size, the Prius PHEV will be eligible in British ColumbiaBritish Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
for a rebate starting on December 1, 2011. In Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
the plug-in will be eligible for a rebate beginning on January 1, 2012, and it is also eligible for a rebate in Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
.
Japan
Toyota will begin sales of the Prius Plug-in Hybrid on 30 January 2012, and began taking orders on late November 2011. The price of the plug-in, including consumption tax, starts at for the entry-level S trim and goes up to for the G trim with leather option. Toyota's sales target for the Japanese market was set between 35,000 to 40,000 units per year.United Kingdom
The Prius Plug-in will cost less than (~ ) before taking into account the government's Plug-in Car Grant. After the subsidy is applied, the Prius Plug-in ends up on par with the Nissan LeafNissan Leaf
Nissan introduced its first battery electric vehicle, the Nissan Altra at the Los Angeles International Auto Show on 29 December 1997. The Altra EV was produced between 1998 and 2002, only about 200 vehicles were ever produced, and it was mainly used as a fleet vehicle for companies such as...
electric car. Sales are scheduled to start in the first half of 2012.
United States
The production Prius Plug-in Hybrid was introduced in the U.S. on September 16, 2011, at the Green Drive Expo in Richmond, CaliforniaRichmond, California
Richmond is a city in western Contra Costa County, California, United States. The city was incorporated on August 7, 1905. It is located in the East Bay, part of the San Francisco Bay Area. It is a residential inner suburb of San Francisco, as well as the site of heavy industry, which has been...
. Sales price in the U.S. will start at for the base model and for the advanced trim before any applicable government incentives. All trims are subject to a delivery fee. According to its battery size, the Prius Plug-in should qualify for a federal tax credit of , and it is eligible to additional incentives at the state and local level, such as California's rebate. The Prius Plug-in also qualifies for California's Enhaced Advanced Technology-Partial Zero-Emissions Vehicle
Partial zero-emissions vehicle
A Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle is a vehicle that has zero evaporative emissions from its fuel system, has a 15-year warranty on its emission-control components, and meets SULEV tailpipe-emission standards....
(EAT-PZEV) status, which will allow plug-in owners to have free access to use carpool lanes even when traveling solo.
Production is expected to begin in January 2012, and retail sales are scheduled to begin between March and April 2012. The Prius Plug-in will be initially offered in 14 states: Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
, Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
, Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
and Washington. According to Toyota these are the states where nearly 60% of all Prius models are currently sold in the country. The Prius Plug-in will be available in all remaining states in 2013. Toyota announced it expects to sell in the U.S. market around 15,000 units a year initially, and the plug-in hybrid will be available in two trims and five colors.
On April 22, 2011 Toyota introduced its priority registration website for customers interested in ordering the Prius Plug-in Hybrid, even though the purchase price had not been announced at that time. Registration guarantees first access to Toyota’s Online Order System, which is scheduled to begin sales in October 2011, but limited to the 14 launch states. Toyota reported that during its first month since the process began, more than 17,000 potential buyers have signed up through its reservation website, and by mid July 2011, 29,000 potential buyers have registered.
Recognition
The Toyota Prius Plug-in was a finalist for the 2010 Green Car Vision Award. The Prius Plug-in won the 2012 Urban Green Vehicle of the Year Award.See also
- Government incentives for plug-in electric vehiclesGovernment incentives for plug-in electric vehiclesGovernment incentives for plug-in electric vehicles have been established by several national and local governments around the world as a financial incentive for consumers to purchase a plug-in electric vehicle....
- List of modern production plug-in electric vehicles
- Plug-in electric vehiclePlug-in electric vehicleA plug-in electric vehicle is any motor vehicle that can be recharged from any external source of electricity, such as wall sockets, and the electricity stored in the rechargeable battery packs drives or contributes to drive the wheels...