Toyota Announces Their Plug-In Prius, Targeted For Select Markets And Limited Roll-Out

No idea why Toyota is playing this so conservatively. Obviously, the company has the technology to deliver electric vehicles, as evidenced by their RAV 4 EV's, which are still going strong. Introducing the plug-in variant of the the Prius should be a no brainer and should be introduced world wide, but Toyota states it will be another two years, before "tens of thousands" will be built. Big whoop.

From Green Car Congress:

The all-electric range of the Prius Plug-In (23 km) will cover more than 50% of distances driven by single cars each day in Japan, according to Toyota. Click to enlarge.

In Tokyo, Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) formally announced the introduction of the Prius Plug-in Hybrid—the 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. The plug-in made its North American debut at the recent Los Angeles Auto Show. (Earlier post.)

At the announcement, TMC called plug-in hybrid vehicles a highly suitable environmentally considerate option to diversify transportation energy sources. TMC said it is therefore actively encouraging market introduction and aiding understanding of the vehicle type. To promote the soonest widespread use of PHEVs, TMC will analyze feedback regarding the initial release of 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.

Prius Plug-In Performance Specs (Japan)
Gasoline-electric hybrid fuel efficiency	30.6 km/L (72 mpg US) (76 g/km CO2)
Plug-in hybrid fuel efficiency	57.0 km/L (134 mpg US) (41 g/km CO2)
Electricity efficiency	6.57 km/kWh (152 Wh/km)
EV mode cruising range	23.4 km (14.5 miles)
Battery charging power consumption	3.56 kWh
Emissions reduction level under 2005 standards	75% or greater

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 is the first vehicle produced by TMC to be propelled by a lithium-ion battery, a 345.6V, 5.2 kWh pack. Due to the battery’s expanded capacity, the vehicle has an extended electric-vehicle driving range of 23.4 km (14.5 miles) in the Japanese JC08 cycle. Maximum speed in EV mode is 100 km/h (62 mph).

Verifications and rules that gauge the performance of a PHV differ from region to region. In Japan, the Prius Plug-in Hybrid has an average fuel efficiency of 57 km/L (134 mpg US, 1.75 L/100km) and CO₂ emissions 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 cycle and verified by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan.)

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 efficient charging of the vehicle’s lithium-ion battery from an external power source.

Special selectable screens that display information for PHEV 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).

Hybrid System Specifications
System		THS II Plug-in (with motor speed reduction device)
Engine		1.8L gasoline 2ZR –FXE (high-expansion ratio)
	Maximum output	73 kW (98 hp)/5,200 rpm
	Maximum torque	142 N·m (105 lb-ft)/4,000 rpm
Motor		3JM (permanent magnet)
	Maximum output	60 kW (80 hp)
	Maximum torque	207 N·m (153 lb-ft)
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 (134 hp)
System voltage		Max. 650 V
EV mode maximum speed		approx. 100 km/h (62 mph)