Although Toyota has been slow to completely embrace plug-in hybrid technology, Executive Vice President Takeshi Uchiyamada has reiterated the automaker’s promise to sell plug-in hybrid by 2011. As the promise was made, Toyota’s Prius plug-in prototype has been making the rounds at auto shows to bolster interest in the new vehicle, which Toyota promises will be affordable.
About 350 of these plug-in hybrids will be available to select entities in Japan and Europe for testing purposes by the end of this month, while another 150 vehicles will eventually make their way to the U.S. in 2010 to broaden Toyota’s testing and demonstration of these vehicles and their capabilities.
For short distances, the plug-in Prius will be able to attain an electric-only range of about 13 miles, and Toyota claims it will still be able to reach highway speeds under electric power alone. For longer distances, the vehicle will run on hybrid only mode, and essentially perform just like a standard Prius.
Power for the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid comes from a battery that was specially produced between Toyota and Panasonic. By the time the vehicle becomes available, it will have to compete against the Chevrolet Volt, another plug-in hybrid. But compared to the Volt’s 40 miles range on electric power alone, the Prius may be at a significant disadvantage. But with the Volt’s estimated $40K price tag, perhaps the PHV Prius can dramatically undercut the Volt to make it a bit more viable to eco-conscious buyers.
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Catch the latest on Toyota’s plug-in vehicle development here.
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