| Manufacturer | Toyota |
|---|---|
| Production | Planned for 2012 |
| Class | plug-in hybrid mid-size car |
| Body style | 5-door hatchback |
| Combustion engine | 1.8 L gasoline 4-cylinder port-injected inline-4 Atkinson cycle[1] |
| Electric motor | 60 kW (80 hp) electric motor |
| Battery | 4.4 kWh lithium-ion battery[2] |
| Range | 764 kilometres (475 mi)[3] |
| Electric Range | 23 km (14 mi) (NEDC/Toyota)[4] 16 to 24 km (10 to 15 mi) (EPA/Toyota)[5] 26.4 km (16.4 mi) (Japanese cycle)[6] |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm (106.3 in) |
| Length | 4,460 mm (175.6 in) |
| Width | 1,745 mm (68.7 in) |
| Height | 1,490 mm (58.7 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,420 kg (3,100 lb)[4] |
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.[6][7] 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,[2][8] which enable all-electric operation at higher speeds and longer distances than the conventional Prius hybrid.[8] The production version was unveiled at the September 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.[4]
The Prius plug-in total all-electric range is 14.3 mi (23 km),[4] has a expected total range of 475 miles (764 km), and a maximum electric only speed of 62 mph (100 km/h).[1][3] The lithium-ion battery pack can be charged in 180 minutes at 120 volts or in 90 minutes at 240 volts.[3] According to Toyota the Prius plug-in is expected to be rated at 112 mpg-US (2.10 L/100 km; 135 mpg-imp) and CO2 emissions of 49 g/km.[4][9]
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.[10][11][12] Retail sales are scheduled to begin in Japan in January 2012,[6][13] and by early 2012 in Europe.[4] 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.[14] Pricing in Japan starts at ¥3,200,000 (US$41,000) including consumption tax.[6] Sales price in the U.S. will start at US$32,000 plus a US$760 delivery fee and before any applicable government incentives.[2] Toyota is aiming to achieve initial worldwide sales of 50,000 vehicles annually,[13] and also announced that initially expects to sell 15,000 units a year in the U.S.[2] and between 35,000 to 40,000 units in Japan.[6]
Contents |
The Prius Plug-In Concept was exhibited at the September 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show,[15] the October 2009 Tokyo Motor Show,[16] and the December 2009 LA Auto Show.[8] 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.[17]
The pre-production test cars are based on a third generation Toyota Prius (model ZVW30) outfitted with 5.2 kWh lithium-ion batteries.[18][8] 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.[19]
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.[20][21] 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.[21]
According to Toyota the Prius plug-in demonstrator is rated at 134 mpg-US (1.76 L/100 km; 161 mpg-imp) on the Japanese JC08 cycle with a combined efficiency based on a 43.6% of driving in EV mode,[18][22] and CO2 emissions of 41 g/km.[23] Fuel efficiency operating as a gasoline-electric hybrid, like the regular Prius, is 72 mpg-US (3.3 L/100 km; 86 mpg-imp) with CO2 emissions of 76 g/km.[22]
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.[14] 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 braking energy to the electric-vehicle battery, rather than the regular hybrid system battery, thus providing additional range in EV mode.[24][25]
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 horsepower (73 kW) @ 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 motors, one 60 kW (80 hp) unit (MG2) that mainly works to power the compact, lightweight transaxle, and another smaller motor (MG1) rated at 42 kW (56 hp) that works as the electric power source for battery regeneration and as a starter for the gasoline engine. Maximum motor-drive voltage is 650 volts 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 (180 km/h). The maximum speed in EV mode is 62 mph (100 km/h). With a weight of approximately 1,420 kg (3,100 lb), the plug-in version is only 50 kg (110 lb) heavier than the regular Prius.[4][14][26]
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.[14][26]
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 range expanded from 13 mi (21 km) in the demonstration version[1] to 14.3 mi (23.0 km) in the production version.[4] 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 miles (16 to 24 km) on a full charge depending on quick acceleration and braking, road and vehicle conditions, or climate control use.[5][26] 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.[6]
The lithium-ion battery developed for the Prius Plug-in fits under the rear cargo floor and weights 80 kg (180 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 (93 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 (1.70 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.[4][14][26]
According to Toyota the Prius plug-in is expected to be rated at 112 mpg-US (2.10 L/100 km; 135 mpg-imp) and CO2emissions of 49 g/km under the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC).[4][9] 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 mpg-US (4.8 L/100 km; 59 mpg-imp) in combined city/highway in hybrid mode.[5][26]
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).[6]
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 (24 km/h). The pitch varies with the vehicle's speed to give pedestrians a sense of whether the approaching Prius is accelerating or decelerating.[27][28]
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 Cd=0.25. 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.[2][26]
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.[14][26]
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.[4][11][22] 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.[29][30]
The demonstration program in Australia will include five Prius Plug-ins will that will be allocated to government agencies.[31]
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 Columbia, 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.[32][33]
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.[34]
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. [35]
Toyota leased 200 units in Europe to selected partners and customers in 18 European countries. A total of 150 demonstrator plug-in went to France, the United Kingdom and Germany. The largest fleet was deployed in Strasbourg, France, with 70 units.[4]
The demonstration program in Strasbourg was launched in April 2010.[36] 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).[36]
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.[36]
The demonstration program in Germany will be conducted in Baden-Württemberg with ten Prius Plug-ins and the corresponding dedicated charging infrastructure. The program will be run by German energy provider EnBW.[36]
The demonstration trial in the U.K. began in late June 2010 with a fleet of 20 Prius Plug-in Hybrids.[37][38] Toyota Motor Company partnered with Électricité de France 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.[37] 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.[39][40]
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.[23] 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, Nagasaki. The rental fees are ¥8,400 (US$96) for up to six hours, ¥9,450 (US$108) for up to 12 hours, ¥11,550 (US$131) for up to 24 hours, and ¥9,450 (US$108) for each additional day.[41]
A total of 125 demonstrator plug-ins were deployed in the US since 2010.[14] In October 2009, Toyota announced its first regional program partnership in the U.S. with Xcel Energy’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.[8][42] 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.[42] 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.[8][42]
In June 2010 the first demonstration Prius PHEVs were delivered to Portland State University[43] and the Silicon Valley Leadership Group.[44] An additional 30 demonstration program vehicles were assigned to Silicon Valley groups and companies, including the University of California, Berkeley in the following weeks.[44] 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.[45] 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.[46] 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.[47][48] 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.[49]
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 hybrids in Zipcar’s fleet, the Prius plug-in can only be reserved by the hour at an hourly rate of US$7.[50]
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:[4]
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:[51]
Consumer Reports field tested the Prius PHEV for two weeks and reported an all-electric range between 14 to 17 miles (23 to 27 km) spent upfront at the beginning of each trip. On a 78-mile (126 km) commute trip the Prius Plug-in averaged 63.5 miles per US gallon (3.70 L/100 km; 76.3 mpg-imp) while on commute trips between 20 to 30 miles (32 to 48 km) the PHEV averaged 81 miles per US gallon (2.9 L/100 km; 97 mpg-imp) to 86 miles per US gallon (2.7 L/100 km; 103 mpg-imp) with a EV ratio varying from 40 to 56 percent during those trips.[52]
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 (2.8 L/100 km; 100 mpg-imp) on an average round trip commute of 22 miles (35 km). The best average attained was 97.9 miles per US gallon (2.40 L/100 km; 117.6 mpg-imp) on an average round trip commute of 48 miles (77 km).[53]
Motor Trend field tested the Prius PHEV for 32 days and reported average CO2 emissions 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 (3.34 L/100 km; 84.5 mpg-imp) over the 1,880 miles (3,030 km) accumulated during their trial.[54]
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 US$150 for the entire six-week trial.[55]
Sales are scheduled to begin in Japan, the U.S., Canada and Europe by early 2012.[4]
The Toyota Prius Plug-in is scheduled to begin sales in the Canadian market in 2012.[56] 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 Columbia for a CAD 2,500 rebate starting on December 1, 2011.[57] In Quebec the plug-in will be eligible for a CAD 5,000 rebate beginning on January 1, 2012,[58] and it is also eligible for a CAD 5,000 rebate in Ontario.[59]
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 ¥3,200,000 (US$41,000) for the entry-level S trim and goes up to ¥4,200,000 (US$53,800) 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.[6]
The Prius Plug-in will cost less than GB£31,000 (~ US$48,380) before taking into account the government's GB£5,000 Plug-in Car Grant. After the subsidy is applied, the Prius Plug-in ends up on par with the Nissan Leaf electric car. Sales are scheduled to start in the first half of 2012.[60]
The production Prius Plug-in Hybrid was introduced in the U.S. on September 16, 2011, at the Green Drive Expo in Richmond, California.[14][26] Sales price in the U.S. will start at US$32,000 for the base model and US$39,525 for the advanced trim before any applicable government incentives. All trims are subject to a US$760 delivery fee.[2] According to its battery size, the Prius Plug-in should qualify for a federal tax credit of US$2,500, and it is eligible to additional incentives at the state and local level, such as California's US$1,500 rebate.[2][61] 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.[62]
Production is expected to begin in January 2012, and retail sales are scheduled to begin between March and April 2012.[63] 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.[14] 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.[64] Toyota announced it expects to sell in the U.S. market around 15,000 units a year initially,[2] and the plug-in hybrid will be available in two trims and five colors.[63]
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.[14][65] Toyota reported that during its first month since the process began, more than 17,000 potential buyers have signed up through its reservation website,[66] and by mid July 2011, 29,000 potential buyers have registered.[61]
The Toyota Prius Plug-in was a finalist for the 2010 Green Car Vision Award.[67] The Prius Plug-in won the 2012 Urban Green Vehicle of the Year Award.[68] Shared with the Toyota Prius v, the Prius plug-in was awarded Green Car Report's Best Car to Buy 2012.[69]