More Details and Photos Released for Prius Plug-In

[Danny]

A new story entry has been added:

More Details and Photos Released for Prius Plug-In

The actual concept car won't be shown in the flesh until next week at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but Toyota released a bunch of details and new photos today of the Prius Plug-In Concept. Here are the highlights:

• Lithium-ion battery technology allows for compact packaging and quick recharging
• Rechargeable from domestic power supply or public charging point in about 1.5 hours
  
• Extended EV (electric) driving mode of up to 12.5 miles at speeds up to 62mph
• Over longer distances, Prius Plug-in switches to conventional petrol-electric full hybrid operation
• CO2 emissions cut to less than 60g/km

[Paradox]

Bring on the Plug In Prius, I'm ready Toyota! My commute to work is something like 11-12 miles one way and I have the ability to plug in while at work, so I truly cannot wait for plug in availability.

[quantumslip]

i wonder, if you ride the regen brakes on a really long hill in this car, could you fill up the lithium battery all the way?

it would be cool to know how the car operates in conventional hybrid mode (how far will the engine recharge the battery?). would be cool to come off a long highway trip to have 12 miles of EV mode ready for you to use.

[radiocycle]

Well, I'd hate to trade in my brand new Gen III, but I'd do it in a heartbeat if I could plug in! Twelve miles is a 'good enough' start, let's just get some on the road and see how this plays out.

[Manksgloob]

Hm, I was hoping for a larger EV range, but yes, this is a good start.

I, too, hope that the additional battery capacity can be utilized to store energy produced while operating the vehicle (regenerative braking or whatnot) unlike in the Chevy Volt where once it's done, it's done until you plug it in again (or so I've read).

When this hits production, I hope it can be available with all of the packages. I would hate to see a repeat and have to pick between solar roof, advanced technology, OR plug-in :-\

Count me as a vote for an "all-in-one" model!

[Tideland Prius]

Very interesting and the specs are much better than before (granted some are b/c of Li-Ion technology). 20km eh? That's a round trip for me!

[Jim Calvert]

Thanks for the news about Prius Plug-ins. For several years now I've been urging (via e-mail) Toyota to produce a plug-in version of the Prius, and most likely thousands of other Prius enthusiasts have been doing the same thing. Looks like Toyota is finally relenting.

Twelve miles of range in EV mode may not seem like much - but will (from my experience) provide more than enough range for an average local errand. I have a Zenn all electric vehicle, and my errands hardly ever exceed 8 miles or so, and I just keep it plugged in at home when it is not being used. That way the battery pack stays charged up, allowing for repeated errands during the day - and no gasoline is being burned.

[DeadPhish]

Hybrid Warranty????

[SureValla]

This information is worthless until you know how much the car costs. I know a lot of prius owners are not in it to make the money back on gas but it has to be close.

[Nevillewc]

As usual, its what the PR doesn't say.

"The Prius Plug-in Concept's powertrain is similar in format to the Hybrid Synergy Drive used in the new Prius, but with the nickel-metal hydride battery pack replaced by a new, high-output lithium-ion battery"

Does this mean you can retrofit a Lithium pack in an existing Prius 3?
Is it just new software or is there a change to the mechanics to go at 62mph (100km/h) in EV mode?

Where is the plug?
Has anyone looked to see if the existing Prius3 already been designed for a plug?