If the allure of an EV is outweighed by the need to drive longer trips without recharging, Toyota has the affordable answer with the Prius Plug-in Hybrid, the most advanced Prius yet.
The numbers tell a convincing story: up to 11 miles of EV mode range, speeds up to 62 mph on battery alone; EPA-rated 50 mpg combined fuel economy in hybrid mode.
The biggest difference is that the Prius Plug-in Hybrid uses a 4.4 kWh lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery pack in place of the standard Prius model's nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery. The battery pack fits under the rear cargo floor and does not reduce trunk space. An easy-to-use external charging cable is included.
The Prius Plug-in Hybrid is ideal for drivers who use their cars for frequent short trips and local driving. In such situations, the gasoline engine will come on infrequently, and the car will essentially function as a dedicated EV. Once the battery charge goes down, the Prius Plug-in functions just like the standard Prius, banishing any thought of "range anxiety," as hybrid mode keeps you going.
Recharging using an external AC outlet takes approximately 2.5 to 3.0 hours using a standard household outlet or about 1.5 hours using a 240V EV charger.
Standard features are the Smart Key System on three doors with push-button start and remote illuminated entry, and the Touch Tracer Display. This trim-level also includes innovative touch sensors on the steering wheel switches that activate duplicate images that display on the instrument panel. Since these are directly in front of the driver, they reduce driver eye movement, helping you keep your eyes on the road more often. Display Audio with Navigation and the Entune(r) App Suite is also standard.
Comments0
Don't have an account? Create a Free Account.