Tokyo — TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announces
the introduction of the "Prius Plug-in Hybrid", a plug-in version of
the third-generation "Prius" gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle, into key
markets. Approximately 600 units will be introduced in Japan, the
United States, and Europe over the first half of 2010, for use by
governments and businesses.
Prius Plug-in Hybrid
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. In
the United States, approximately 150 units will be provided to
government agencies, corporations, universities and research agencies
for use in a demonstration program aimed at collecting driving data and
spurring the development of battery-charging infrastructure. In
Europe, TMC will lease approximately 200 units, with approximately 100
going to the City of Strasbourg, France. The Prius Plug-in Hybrid will
also be introduced in the United Kingdom and Portugal, with the company
also considering 10 other European countries, including Germany and the
Netherlands, along with countries in other regions, such as Canada,
Australia and New Zealand.
The Prius Plug-in Hybrid can be charged using an external power source
such as a household electric outlet, and is the first vehicle produced
by TMC to be propelled by a lithium-ion battery. Further, due to the
battery's expanded capacity, the vehicle has an extended
electric-vehicle driving range, enabling use as an electric vehicle
(EV) for short distances, while for medium and long distances, after
battery power depletes to a level no longer allowing EV driving mode,
the vehicle functions as a conventional gasoline-electric hybrid
vehicle (HV). Thus, use is not constrained by remaining battery power
or availability of battery-charging infrastructure.
Furthermore, plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHVs), such as the Prius Plug-in
Hybrid, are expected to achieve fuel efficiency superior to
conventional gasoline-electric HVs, reduce consumption of fossil fuels,
and reduce CO2
emissions and atmospheric pollution. Verifications and rules that
gauge the performance of a PHV differ from region to region, but in
Japan, the Prius Plug-in Hybrid has a cruising range in EV mode of
approximately 23 km with a fully charged battery, and an average PHV
fuel efficiency of 57km/L and CO2 emissions1
of 41 g/km under specified driving conditions combining driving
performance both as an EV and as a HV. (Results are based on the JC08
Japanese test cycle2 and verified by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan.)
TMC believes that, to meet the diversification of energy sources,
plug-in hybrid vehicles are a highly suitable environmentally
considerate option. TMC is therefore actively encouraging market
introduction and aiding understanding, and to promote the soonest
widespread use of PHVs, TMC will analyze feedback regarding the Prius
Plug-in Hybrid, with an aim to begin sales in the tens of thousands of
units to the general public in two years.
TMC promotes the use of energy sources other than gasoline, such as
electricity, to limit the consumption of fossil fuels and to reduce CO2
emissions. Thus, the company is accelerating the development of
electricity-related technologies honed by experience gained from 12
years selling gasoline-electric HVs, the market introduction of the
"RAV4 EV" SUV and the leasing of fuel-cell HVs.
1Includes only CO2
emissions generated during vehicle operation, not those generated in
the production of electricity used to charge the vehicle's battery.
2Newer Japanese test method than the preceding 10-15 test
cycle that better approximates actual driving conditions, meaning that
the fuel consumption rates tend to be slightly lower than those
measured under the 10-15 test cycle. Fuel-consumption rates and
cruising distances are values from specified test conditions. Average
fuel consumption and cruising distances will vary markedly depending on
such variables as driving conditions and driving methods, particularly,
daily driving distance, the battery's charge level and air-conditioner
use.
Vehicle Outline
Newly Developed Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle System
The Prius Plug-in Hybrid features the Toyota Hybrid System (THS) II
Plug-in, based on the THS II hybrid system used for the Prius, with a
new, battery-charging system to facilitate highly efficient charging of
the vehicle's lithium-ion battery from an external power source.
Use of electricity from an external source dramatically decreases
gasoline consumption, with the vehicle measuring an average plug-in
hybrid fuel efficiency of 57 km/l. In EV mode the vehicle has a
cruising range of 23.4 km (under the JC08 Japanese test cycle) and top
cruising speeds up to 100 km/h.
Exterior
The vehicle comes in Light Blue Mica Metallic—exclusive to the Prius
Plug-in Hybrid—while the side-view mirrors, door handles and trim
around rear license plate is in high-gloss silver. This color
combination creates a cutting-edge image befitting such a
next-generation vehicle.
A standard Prius Plug-in Hybrid decal (suggested) placed on both sides
of the vehicle further distinguishes the vehicle from other grades of
the Prius. Vehicle-exclusive emblems also feature on the fender and
charging port lid.
Displays for PHV-specific Information
Special selectable screens that display information for PHV operation
have been added to the Prius-base car navigation system and the
Eco-Drive Monitor. The screens display information to assist EV-mode
driving (using battery power only), as well as provide an enjoyable way
to check battery-charge level and resulting fuel consumption.
- Energy Monitor Screen displays possible in EV mode driving range
- EV-Drive Indicator on the Hybrid System Indicator Screen also
indicates possible EV cruising range; driver notified of potential
accelerator use with current battery charge level, thus supporting
environmentally friendly driving through use of EV mode
- Electric Vehicle Cruising Ratio Screen—exclusive to Prius Plug-in
Hybrid—displays difference between driving in EV mode (using battery
power only) and driving in HV mode (using both gasoline engine and
battery power)
| Engine displacement |
1,797 cc |
| Transmission |
Electric automatic |
| Powertrain |
Front-wheel drive |
| Length |
4,460 mm |
| Width |
1,745 mm |
| Height |
1,490 mm |
| Wheelbase |
2,700 mm |
| Track |
Front |
1,525 mm |
| Rear |
1,520 mm |
| Weight |
1,490 kg |
| Seating capacity |
5 |
| Minimum turning radius |
5.2 m |
| Tire size |
185/65R15 |
| Environmental Performance (Japan)*1 |
| 1) Fuel efficiency when using only electric power from external source |
N.A.
(no gasoline consumed) |
| 2) Gasoline-electric-hybrid fuel efficiency |
30.6 km/L (CO2 emissions 76g) |
| 3) Plug-in hybrid fuel efficiency*2 |
57.0 km/L (CO2 emissions 41g) |
| 4) Cruising range when using battery power*3 |
23.4 km |
| 5) Electricity efficiency |
6.57 km/kWh |
| 6) Electric vehicle mode cruising range*4 |
23.4 km |
| 7) Battery charging power consumption |
3.56 kWh |
| Emissions reduction level under 2005 standards |
75% or greater |
| *1Items "1" to "7" are guidelines developed by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure,Transport and Tourism; *2Equals combined fuel economy of EV drive and post-EV-drive HV drive; *3When
also using electric power from external charging (in the case of the
Prius Plug-in Hybrid, same as "Electric vehicle mode cruising range"); *4When using electric power from external charging only |
| Hybrid System Specifications |
| System |
THS II Plug-in (with motor speed reduction device) |
| Engine |
1.8-liter gasoline 2ZR –FXE (high-expansion ratio) |
| |
Maximum output |
73 kW (99PS)/5,200 rpm |
| |
Maximum torque |
142 N-m (14.5 kgf-m)/4,000 rpm |
| Motor |
3JM (permanent magnet) |
| |
Maximum output |
60 kW (82 PS) |
| |
Maximum torque |
207N-m (21.1kgf-m) |
| Drive battery |
Lithium-ion |
| |
Capacity |
5.2 kWh |
| |
Rated voltage |
345.6 V |
| |
Charging time |
Approx. 180 minutes (AC100 V) |
| |
Approx. 100 minutes (AC200 V) |
| System maximum output |
100 kW (136 PS) |
| System voltage |
Max. 650 V |
| EV mode maximum speed |
approx. 100 km/h |
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