The Plug-in Prius
The 2012 Toyota Plug-in Prius is coming to market for commercial buyers in late 2011 or early 2012, and early reports suggest the plug-in Prius will debut with a base price about $3000 - $5000 above the current Prius.
Using the price of a base Prius, that could mean $26,520, but I'd bet the base Prius will probably hit the market as a loaded Prius. Nevertheless, the plug-in Prius should qualify for a $2500 Federal Tax credit.
Hot Plug-in Prius Stories
--
Plug-in Prius coming in October, starting at $32,760
--
The right mix, Part II: Does the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid offer enough EV range?
--
Plug-in Prius + Smart Grid powered home = Cost Effectiveness?
--
Can a plug beat the Toyota Prius?
Unfortunately, because the Plug-in Prius battery pack is much smaller than other plug-ins, it qualifies for a smaller tax credit.
Still, the smaller Prius battery pack offers advantages, aside from a cheaper price. For instance, using just a standard 110 volt outlet, the Prius can be charged in just 3 hours. Likewise, the Prius doesn't require an upgrade to a 240 volt outlet, which costs at least $2000, plus the cost of any new wiring.
Ultimately, Toyota believes that the size of the battery pack in the plug-in Prius needs to remain small enough to keep this plug-in vehicle cost-effective. Therefore, the plug-in Prius will only achieve about 10 - 14 miles of EV range with its 5.2 kWh lithium ion battery pack.
Such a range takes care of many short commutes. More important, for longer trips, the plug-in Prius will not be weighed down by a large battery pack.
In fact, Toyota's test fleet of plug-in hybrids demonstrates that most daily trips are less than 10 miles. After EV range expires the Prius functions just like a conventional 50 mpg Prius, although regenerative and engine braking can help recharge EV range on the fly.
While some have criticized Toyota for using a smaller battery in the plug-in Prius, numerous battery studies have confirmed that small battery pack plug-in hybrids offer the most viable cost-effectiveness.
Most recently, Carnegie Melon came to such a conclusion on plug-in vehicles.
Currently, in Japan, the plug-in Prius has been averaging more than 130 mpg on road and driving conditions in that country. However, in the US and its greater dependence upon highway driving, range could drop significantly. Nonetheless, for urban commuters, achieving 100 mpg appears achievable. Still, combined mileage on the EPA's city and highway cycles will probably be more in the 70 mpg range.
And Toyota does understand batteries
In 2010, the plug-in Prius was being leased to a number of fleet buyers as part of a 600 vehicle demonstration fleet to assess real world plug-in use scenarios.
Hence, a few last minute updates are conceivable once the plug-in Prius heads into production.
Before that, for more than 3 years Toyota tested its lithium-ion battery back on a fleet of about 100 plug-in Prius hybrids in every type of condition imaginable. The battery pack and the vehicle proved safe and reliable, however, cost-effectiveness remained an issue according to Toyota.
More important, over time the Hybrid Synergy Drive can accomodate larger battery packs as they become cost-effective. In fact, the Hybrid Synergy Drive is basically the same drive that will power many of Toyota's plug-in electric cars as well.
Latest Prius News
So
Check out Prius
testimonials.
|
"94
percent of Prius owners would buy another
Prius" |
For more information on
the Toyota Prius hybrid, Click here.
--Read
More about the Toyota
Prius Plug-in hybrid on the Hybridcarblog. |
