Overview
Toyota Motor Corporation, known simply as Toyota, is a leading global automotive company. The company is one of the largest automobile manufacturers in the world and is headquartered in Aichi, Japan. The company has already established an enviable track record for the development and marketing of environment friendly hybrid vehicles.
Toyota has one of the largest portfolios of mild hybrid electric vehicles (MHEVs), currently 11 hybrid models. It is also a world leader in fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). The company currently has a portfolio of the following fully electric and plug-in electric vehicles:
- Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid
- The All-Electric Toyota bZ4X
- Toyota Mirai Hydrogen Fuel Cell
- Toyota RAV4 Plug-In Hybrid
Apart from the ubiquitous Toyota brand, the company also owns the Hino, Lexus, Ranz and Daihatsu brands.
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For those of you new to zero-emission electric driving, we recommend a read of the following articles:
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The Toyota Prius PHEV Hatchback
Prius is a Latin word meaning ‘first’ and therefore quite appropriate for the Prius. The Toyota Prius has been manufactured since 1997. The Prius has built a global reputation as a ‘clean car’ since 2007 and has been acknowledged by the US Environment Protection Agency (EPA).
The Prius is now sold in over 90 global markets, making it one of the most successful models for the Japanese automotive manufacturer. The production version of the Prius PHEV was released in 2012.
The Prius plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) is an option worth considering for those keen to migrate to affordable lower emission electric driving. The Toyota Prius PHEV is certainly one of the more affordable options for electric driving. The hatchback has a 8.8 kWh onboard EV battery with a WLTP certified zero-emission electric range up to 34 miles. Nothing earth shattering, but it is typical of many PHEVs in its class.
Of course, do keep in mind, that most of us average a mere 30 miles a day and the majority of our trips are short commutes (school-runs, grocery store, high street, gym etc). Even adjusting for real-world driving conditions, the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid will be able to deliver well over 25 miles (emission-free).
This is no doubt a useful EV range and financial savings can be achieved by driving on the e-mode. Driving on zero-emission pure electric mode will cost between 5 pence and 10 pence per mile. Far cheaper than using the combustion engine.
Another benefit of driving on the electric mode, is the improved efficiency of the electric vehicle. Toyota claims a fuel economy up to 235.4 mpg. Real-world fuel economy will be lower, but much improved from the conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) variant.
The PHEV is not DC charging compatible (most PHEVs are not) and has a 3.3 kW onboard charger. Again, quite typical for a PHEV in this price segment. We discourage the use of a 3-PIN domestic plug for charging and encourage charging via a dedicated home EV charger. The PHEV can be fully charged in just over 2 hours.
Taking advantage of the EV range will also require inculcating a habit of charging the EV on a regular basis, which again is as easy as charging a smartphone. A ‘topping up’ approach to charging will help improve the overall efficiency of the vehicle and also improve the long-term maintenance of the onboard EV battery. Toyota offers a class-leading 10 years or 150,000 miles warranty.
The Prius PHEV pairs a 1.8-litre petrol engine with an electric motor, powered by the onboard EV battery. The performance of the EV will not get you dizzy, but given the emphasis on affordability and economy, the performance is acceptable.
The Prius plug-in electric car can achieve 0-62 mph in 11.1 seconds. Top speed is 100 mph. In terms of practicality, the electric hatchback is not class-leading, but does get the job done. The EV offers 191 L cargo volume.
Though the Prius plug-in electric car does not qualify for the UK government plug-in car grant, company-car drivers can benefit from the lower Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) tax rate for the PHEV. Bottom-line, electric driving is good for the environment and the wallet.
You can lease electric vehicles (EVs) via e-zoomed at very competitive prices!
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Practical, tried and tested | Infotainment system needs updating |
| Cheap to run on electric mode | Not the most inspiring drive or design |
| Extended warranty | On board charger limited to 3.3 kW |
Gallery
The Toyota Prius PHEV Hatchback (credit: Toyota)
| At A Glance | |
|---|---|
| EV Type: | Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) |
| Body Type: | Hatchback |
| Plug-In Car Grant (PiCG): | Not Available |
| Engine: | Petrol-Electric |
| Available In UK: | Yes |
| £ Variants (2 Options) |
|---|
| Toyota Prius Business Edition Plus (from £32,645) |
| Toyota Prius Excel (from £34,735) |
| EV Battery & Emissions | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Type: | Lithium-ion |
| EV Battery Capacity: | Available in one battery size: 8.8 kWh |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. Onboard charger: 3.3 kW AC (0% – 100%: 2 hrs) |
| Charge Port: | Type 2 |
| EV Cable Type: | Type 2 |
| Tailpipe Emissions: | 28 – 34g (CO2/km) |
| EV Battery Warranty: | 10 years or 150,000 miles |
| Average Cost Of Residential Charging | |
|---|---|
| Battery net capacity : 8.8 kWh | £1.27 |
| Battery net capacity : 11.6 kWh | £1.67 |
| Battery net capacity : 12.0 kWh | £1.73 |
| Battery net capacity : 13.10 kWh | £1.89 |
| Battery net capacity : 14.10 kWh | £2.03 |
- Note 1: The average cost of residential electricity in the UK varies depending on the region, supplier and type of energy used. An average for the UK is 14.40 p/kWh.
- Note 2: Not all EV manufactures make available the data on net EV battery capacity, and in a number of instances the EV battery capacity advertised, does not state if it is gross or net capacity. In general, usable EV battery capacity is between 85% to 95% of the gross available capacity.
| Charging Times (Overview) | |
|---|---|
| Slow charging AC (3 kW – 3.6 kW): | 6 – 12 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SOC) |
| Fast charging AC (7 kW – 22 kW): | 3 – 8 hours (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
| Rapid charging AC (43 kW): | 0-80%: 20 mins to 60 mins (dependent on size of EV battery & SoC) |
- Note 1: SoC: state of charge
| Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Height (mm): | 1470 |
| Width (mm): | 1760 |
| Length (mm): | 4645 |
| Wheelbase (mm): | 2700 |
| Turning Circle (m): | 10.2 |
| Boot Space (L): | 191 |
| 1.8 Plug-in Petrol Hybrid PHEV | |
|---|---|
| EV Battery Capacity: | 8.8 kWh |
| Pure Electric Range (WLTP): | 34 miles |
| Electric Energy Consumption (Wh/km): | N/A |
| Fuel Consumption (mpg): | 188.3 to 235.4 |
| Charging: | DC charging not available. Onboard charger: 3.3 kW AC (0% – 100%: 2 hrs) |
| Top Speed: | 100 mph |
| 0-62 mph: | 11.1 seconds |
| Drive: | Front-wheel drive (FWD) |
| Max Power (hp): | 122 |
| Torque (Nm): | 142 |
| Transmission: | Automatic |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 5 |
| Kerb Weight (kg): | 1,530 – 1,550 |
| Colours: | 6 |
| NCAP Safety Rating: | Five-Star |
While e-zoomed uses reasonable efforts to provide accurate and up-to-date information, some of the information provided is gathered from third parties and has not been independently verified by e-zoomed. While the information from the third party sources is believed to be reliable, no warranty, express or implied, is made by e-zoomed regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of any information. This disclaimer applies to both isolated and aggregate uses of this information.
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