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Quick Spin: 2010 Plug-in Prius prototype is just like your mother's Toyota hybrid, but better

Sebastian Blanco — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Hatchback, Toyota, Electric, Quick Spins

2010 Plug-in Prius Prototypes - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's been two-and-a-half years since we last got behind the wheel of a plug-in Toyota Prius. The name is the same, but today's plug-in Prius is a totally different vehicle, and it was high time to see what changes Toyota has made to their plug-in hybrid (PHEV) in its ongoing effort to slowly get the car ready for the U.S. market.

Back in late 2007, the prototype had a NiMH battery pack and the converted vehicle was based on the second-generation model. The new fleet of PHEV Priuses in San Diego this week as part of Toyota's Sustainable Mobility Seminar are converted 2010 third-generation models, featuring upgraded lithium-ion packs.

Toyota has brought the PHEV Prius fleet to the U.S. to begin a two-year test and monitoring period. The vehicles are equipped with transmitters from Qualcomm that record not only driver behavior, but also how often the car is plugged in. We'll have more information soon with technical details about the mules and an explanation of Toyota's plans to test and sell the long-awaited plug-in hatchback for 2012. But before then, we wanted to grab some seat time.

The short version is that driving a plug-in Prius is almost exactly like driving a standard one, except that it remains quieter for a longer period as the engine is off more often (during short distances) thanks to a larger battery pack and improved all-electric performance. Acceleration, handling, braking - everything feels awfully familiar. Make the jump to find out more, including how you can now go up to 64 mph without using a single drop of fuel.

Gallery: Quick Spin: 2010 Plug-in Prius

Continue reading Quick Spin: 2010 Plug-in Prius prototype is just like your mother's Toyota hybrid, but better

Quick Spin: 2010 Plug-in Prius prototype is just like your mother's Toyota hybrid, but better originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Apr 2010 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Toyota questions demand for plug-ins, cost, range, durability concerns

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 21 May 2009 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Technology, Toyota

We all know that there is a hardcore group of consumers out there chanting the mantra of "No plug, no sale!" Okay, well, at least a few of you. The problem is that, like commenters on the internet, the loud fringe makes most of the noise, but often actually represents a very small percentage of the total population. For the rest of the car buying public, the realities of choosing a new car go well beyond the ability to "refuel" from a plug in the garage. This is the reality that Toyota, General Motors, Nissan, Mitsubishi and others have to face in planning for future electric vehicles.

How many people are actually willing to pay the price in purchase cost, range, and utility for a plug-in vehicle?

While Nissan and Mitsubishi are (publicly at least) very bullish on EVs, Toyota apparently remains more skeptical. Bill Reinert, Toyota's U.S. national manager for advanced technology, told a National Academy of Sciences panel in Washington that the company doesn't expect PHEV demand to top 50,000 units a year, and the total could be as low as 3,500. So far, the argument goes, in most real-world testing, PHEVs are showing relatively little benefit to justify the significant extra battery cost. Unless plug-ins are designed as such and able to operate through most of their range on electric power (unlike conversion PHEVs), the real world benefits may only be visible to dedicated hyper-milers.

Gallery: EVS23: PHEV Prius prototype

[Source: Bloomberg]

REPORT: Toyota questions demand for plug-ins, cost, range, durability concerns originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 May 2009 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota launches plug-in Prius hybrid in UK

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:22:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Green, Toyota

Click above for high-res gallery of the plug-in Prius

Toyota has been testing plug-in versions of its Prius hybrid sedan on public roads in Japan for quite some time and the models have made it Stateside for testing, as well. Now Toyota has begun testing its PHEV in the U.K. Along with EDF Energy, the Japanese automotive giant and undisputed hybrid development leader plans to run the plug-in Prius on public roadways for at least a year, starting today. As the car, with its very unfortunate paint job, is driven by EDF employees as part of the energy company's fleet of vehicles, both its capabilities and the cost savings to run the PHEV will be recorded and hopefully provide some sort of useful data to Toyota. Seriously guys, enough teasing. The real question is when Toyota will find enough reason to actually start offering the plug-in Prius for sale.

Gallery: PHEV Prius in the U.K.

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Toyota launches plug-in Prius hybrid in UK

Toyota launches plug-in Prius hybrid in UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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