All you ever wanted to know about the Next evolution of the world's greenest hybrid

As you've surely heard by now, Toyota Motors is expanding the world's best-selling hybrid, the Toyota Prius into a full family during spring 2012. Soon, you will not have only one amazing, 50 mpg Toyota Prius from which to choose but you'll have four: the compact Toyota Prius C, a larger cabin in the Toyota Prius V, the original but still astonishing Toyota Prius II,II,IV, and/or V, and as shown above in prototype form the 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In.

As the name implies, the Toyota Prius Plug-In is a new form of hybrid; combining the already wildly popular Hybrid Synergy Drive system - an platform that earns 52 mpg in the city and has already sold three million units worldwide in its short, dozen-year life - with a new all-electric driving platform, the Toyota Prius Plug-In is sure to be another step forward in the fight against rising gasoline costs, global warming, and carbon emissions.

While all this is great, one of the best parts of all is this: Vermont has been deemed one of 13 states where the Toyota Prius Plug-In will launch this coming spring. Lawrence Toyota and our staff are excited about the possibilities of this wonderful new Prius, and we want you to be just as excited. That's why we've put together this brief information panel in order to educate our customers on exactly what the new Prius Plug-In is all about - what makes it tick, why it's so crucial, and most importantly how you can get one.

The Technology of the 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in

Without a doubt, the upcoming 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in is the most advanced version of the hybrid driver's favorite car to date. The best part about the 2012 Prius Plug-in is that there's no way the vehicle can fail--when there is no electricity being used due to a flat battery that hasn't been charged, the Prius Plug-in operates exactly like the current edition of the Prius. You can expect, at this point in time, to get up to 475 miles on a single tank of gasoline after the electricity is depleted.

But what about the new technology, i.e. the advanced lithium-ion battery and the EV (electric vehicle) component of the car? The maximum EV mode traveling distance is currently marked at 13 miles. However with a recharging time of 3 hours with the standard 120V charging unit or only 1.5 hours with an upgraded 240V charging unit, this means you'll be up and running in EV mode in no time.

In fact, the battery alone is what makes this car such a marvel. While some companies are counting on EV mode to run the car exclusively, Toyota Motors was more cautious. The bottom line is that we as a society are just too young in the electric vehicle world to not be worried about EV-only cars. Toyota's answer: use small, low-cost lithium-ion batteries that compliment the already stellar performance of the Hybrid Synergy Drive system, and give commuters a way to travel for less money at the pumps and with less damage to the environment.

Though these lithium-ion batteries are both an engineering achievement and the route of the Prius Plug-ins power (both in terms of propulsion and allure), they are also a cause of concern to many people. "I've heard the batteries are expensive to replace," is one thing we hear very often. Luckily for you, the Prius Plug-in's lithium-ion batteries are designed to last for the entire life of the car--and when a Toyota emblem is attached to the phrase "life of the car," you know you're safe!

The engine of the 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in is also quite remarkable, featuring an incredibly fuel efficient 1.8L 4-cylinder composition that can achieve 98 horsepower (at 5,200 RPM) and 142 pound-feet of torque (at 4,000 RPM). The reason for these figures is twofold (aside from the fact that you aren't meant to haul heavy loads such as with a Tundra!): not only do you achieve high fuel economy scores, but it also enhances your overall ride by making the vehicle quiet.

Another enhancement to the Prius Plug-in's engine is the loss of a drive belt and an electric-driven water pump. This reduces the supplemental engine load, allowing the engine to control the flow of coolant with increased precision like never before. Finally, the motor in the Prius Plug-in is designed to give you the greatest fuel efficiency yet across many driving conditions. By operating at an incredibly high rotational speed it generates more output in a smaller design, once again increasing fuel economy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I be registering to buy the Toyota Prius Plug-in shown above?

Not exactly. The image of the Prius Plug-in shown above is still in its prototypical stages, meaning by the time the spring 2012 release date arrives alterations could have been made. The vehicle you see is a demonstration model for use in testing the performance of the advanced lithium-ion batter technology as well as to gather user feedback. Be sure to contact us whenever you want to be put on a list to get regular updates.

How does the Prius Plug-in work?

One of the best features of the new 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in and perhaps a misconception as well is that you do not need a special charging station to drive gasoline-free. To charge the Prius Plug-in you simply connect the power cord that comes with the vehicle to the Prius Plug-in itself, then connect the other end to any regular 120V household outlet. For your information, a "normal 120V outlet" would be anything you normally plug in: a hairdryer, a television, a computer, etc. If you should run out of electricity while driving, the Prius Plug-in switches over to the tried-and-true Hybrid Synergy Drive engine (full hybrid mode) and, just like a regular Prius, still achieves excellent mileage.

What are some of the benefits of the Toyota Prius Plug-in?

Since the Prius Plug-in has a full EV (electric vehicle) mode, you'll be able to make a large number of your daily trips without using even an ounce of gasoline. Since the Prius Plug-in is built on the platform of an already great hybrid, if you run out of electricity you're still likely to get upwards of 475 miles to a single tank! Finally, the Prius Plug-in and you benefit from the rapid charging times shown in testing: the Prius Plug-in can charge in as little as three hours with the standard 120V charging cord, or you can purchase an upgraded charging kit that takes only 1.5 hours using a 240V cord.

Where can I find out more about the Prius Plug-in?

What kind of changes to my electricity bill can I expect?

The 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in draws around one kilowatt and takes approximately three hours to fully charge (from "empty"). Unfortunately we cannot tell you exactly how much this will cost because of the major fluctuations from company to company. Depending on where you live and which electric provider you subscribe to, these rates may change. Also, some people may only need to drive five miles a day while others may drive 60 miles a day, thereby charging several times; this too will affect energy consumption and your electricity bills.

Where and when will be the Prius Plug-in be available?

Starting around spring 2012 (more definitive time lines will be explained when they're available), the Prius Plug-in will be available in the following states:

Arizona
California
Connecticut
Hawaii
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
Oregon
Rhode Island
Vermont
Virginia
Washington

Availability will open up nationwide sometime in 2013. Also, please note, Hawaii is not eligible for online ordering; please visit the Toyota Hawaii site for more information on this.

Lawrence Toyota

2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Info

All you ever wanted to know about the Next evolution of the world's greenest hybrid

The Technology of the 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in

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