Jon Lancaster Toyota
3501 Lancaster Dr Madison, WI 53718Sales: 800-843-8941
- Service: 608 243 5531
- Parts: 608 243 5532
This page was designed to help guests understand the all new Toyota Prius Plug-in Technology, when guests can see it in person and when its going to be for sale. If you have additional questions please email dwalthers@jonlancaster.net
How far can a Prius PHV drive using only electricity/in electric-only (EV) mode?
Answer: The lithium-ion battery powered PHV can go a maximum of approximately 13 miles in electric-only (EV) mode. That range can vary greatly depending on vehicle speed, driving styles and driving conditions. For example, ambient temperatures that are extremely hot (110° F) or cold (20° F) can negatively affect lithium-ion battery performance.
How fast can a Prius PHV go using only electricity/in electric-only (EV) mode?
Answer: The vehicles used in the PHV demonstration program can go approximately 60 mph in electric-only (EV) mode.
Answer: The vehicles used in the PHV demonstration program can go approximately 60 mph in electric-only (EV) mode.
Why can't the Prius PHV go farther on electric-only power?
Answer: When it comes to PHVs, Toyota believes that the smaller the battery the better. One reason is economic: As battery size increases, so does battery cost, resulting in higher overall cost for the vehicle. Another reason is environmental: according to a 2009 Carnegie Mellon University study, plug-in hybrid vehicles with smaller batteries produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions than conventional hybrid vehicles.
Answer: When it comes to PHVs, Toyota believes that the smaller the battery the better. One reason is economic: As battery size increases, so does battery cost, resulting in higher overall cost for the vehicle. Another reason is environmental: according to a 2009 Carnegie Mellon University study, plug-in hybrid vehicles with smaller batteries produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions than conventional hybrid vehicles.
How fuel-efficient is the Prius PHV?
Answer: The federal government has not yet set a standard for determining mpg for plug-in hybrid vehicles. And it's understandable why arriving at a precise mpg number is difficult. Consider the fact that Prius PHV can operate in electric-only (EV) mode for a maximum range of approximately 13 miles. That means that if a person regularly drives fewer than 13 miles, and recharges the vehicle often, it's possible that Prius PHV wouldn't use any gas at all?in that case, it would be achieving infinite mpg. However, if the vehicle is operating in regular hybrid mode, Toyota anticipates that a combined city/highway rating of 50 mpg might be possible.
Answer: The federal government has not yet set a standard for determining mpg for plug-in hybrid vehicles. And it's understandable why arriving at a precise mpg number is difficult. Consider the fact that Prius PHV can operate in electric-only (EV) mode for a maximum range of approximately 13 miles. That means that if a person regularly drives fewer than 13 miles, and recharges the vehicle often, it's possible that Prius PHV wouldn't use any gas at all?in that case, it would be achieving infinite mpg. However, if the vehicle is operating in regular hybrid mode, Toyota anticipates that a combined city/highway rating of 50 mpg might be possible.
How will plugging in Prius PHV at home affect my electric bill?
Answer: The Prius PHV draws approximately one kilowatt per hour and takes approximately three hours to charge. That said, electricity rates vary greatly depending on where you live and the utility company you use, so Toyota can't determine exactly how much it will cost you to plug in the Prius PHV. Your bill will also be affected by how often you charge the vehicle.
Answer: The Prius PHV draws approximately one kilowatt per hour and takes approximately three hours to charge. That said, electricity rates vary greatly depending on where you live and the utility company you use, so Toyota can't determine exactly how much it will cost you to plug in the Prius PHV. Your bill will also be affected by how often you charge the vehicle.
When will I be able to purchase a Prius PHV?
Answer: A commercial version Prius PHV should be available in 2012. Some of these vehicles are already on the road as a part of the PHV demonstration program. This program is designed to gather real-world driving data and customer feedback on plug-in hybrid technology. It's also trying to assess how well the lithium-ion batteries perform in a wide variety of situations. Toyota wants to ensure that the vehicle coming to market in 2012 will exceed customers' expectations. Since we're still testing the vehicle, we don't yet have any info on specifications or price for the 2012 production model.
Answer: A commercial version Prius PHV should be available in 2012. Some of these vehicles are already on the road as a part of the PHV demonstration program. This program is designed to gather real-world driving data and customer feedback on plug-in hybrid technology. It's also trying to assess how well the lithium-ion batteries perform in a wide variety of situations. Toyota wants to ensure that the vehicle coming to market in 2012 will exceed customers' expectations. Since we're still testing the vehicle, we don't yet have any info on specifications or price for the 2012 production model.
Does Toyota expect the electric-only range to increase when the vehicle comes to market?
Answer: That's hard to predict. Of course, Toyota is continuing to improve battery efficiency and performance. However, we're also trying to ensure that when Prius PHV becomes available, the vehicle will have the right size battery?at the right price.
Answer: That's hard to predict. Of course, Toyota is continuing to improve battery efficiency and performance. However, we're also trying to ensure that when Prius PHV becomes available, the vehicle will have the right size battery?at the right price.
In the future, what does Toyota envision as the ideal EV driving range?
Answer: Toyota needs to examine the real-world applications. Greater EV range requires bigger batteries, which increases cost, recharging time and possibly the overall carbon footprint of the vehicle. Also, a bigger battery would require additional space within the vehicle to house it. To make a long story short, Toyota needs to determine what customers expect from the vehicles and whether the cost-benefit equation makes the vehicle competitive in the market.
Answer: Toyota needs to examine the real-world applications. Greater EV range requires bigger batteries, which increases cost, recharging time and possibly the overall carbon footprint of the vehicle. Also, a bigger battery would require additional space within the vehicle to house it. To make a long story short, Toyota needs to determine what customers expect from the vehicles and whether the cost-benefit equation makes the vehicle competitive in the market.
Why is Toyota using lithium-ion batteries in the Prius Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle (PHV), but not in the 2010 Prius?
Answer: Lithium-ion batteries have greater energy density than nickel-metal hydride batteries. That means they can store more energy in an equivalent-size battery. So in order to increase the distance that can be driven under electrical power alone, Toyota is using lithium-ion batteries in the Prius Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle (PHV). Toyota will continue to use nickel-metal hydride batteries in conventional hybrid vehicles, at least over the near term. These batteries have proven extremely reliable during the 12 years Toyota has been producing hybrids.
Answer: Lithium-ion batteries have greater energy density than nickel-metal hydride batteries. That means they can store more energy in an equivalent-size battery. So in order to increase the distance that can be driven under electrical power alone, Toyota is using lithium-ion batteries in the Prius Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle (PHV). Toyota will continue to use nickel-metal hydride batteries in conventional hybrid vehicles, at least over the near term. These batteries have proven extremely reliable during the 12 years Toyota has been producing hybrids.
What's the life expectancy of the lithium-ion batteries?
Answer: The batteries are built to last for the life of the vehicle.
Answer: The batteries are built to last for the life of the vehicle.
What specifically will Toyota be evaluating during the Prius PHV demonstration program?
Answer: Toyota is still defining specific criteria for measuring PHV performance. However, Toyota's Prius PHV demonstration program will ensure that the vehicles are driven under a variety of conditions to capture as much real-world data as possible.
How did Toyota determine where to distribute the vehicles used in the Prius PHV demonstration program?
Answer: Toyota has strategically put the vehicles used for the program in locations where we have the facilities to support the program. Vehicles are slated for placement in northern and southern California; Washington, D.C.; New York; Boulder, Colorado; Portland, Oregon; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Answer: Toyota has strategically put the vehicles used for the program in locations where we have the facilities to support the program. Vehicles are slated for placement in northern and southern California; Washington, D.C.; New York; Boulder, Colorado; Portland, Oregon; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Isn't power-plant pollution as much a consideration as exhaust pollution?
Answer: It's important to understand that electric vehicles are not automatically zero-emission vehicles. The electricity they use is generated by power plants, and the amount of emissions produced by those power plants needs to be taken into account. For an electric vehicle to truly produce zero emissions, it would need to be charged by renewable energy?for example, solar energy. However, electricity in the U.S. is generated through multiple sources of energy, some more renewable than others. Hopefully, the power in this country will increasingly be generated in more environmentally sensitive ways.
Answer: It's important to understand that electric vehicles are not automatically zero-emission vehicles. The electricity they use is generated by power plants, and the amount of emissions produced by those power plants needs to be taken into account. For an electric vehicle to truly produce zero emissions, it would need to be charged by renewable energy?for example, solar energy. However, electricity in the U.S. is generated through multiple sources of energy, some more renewable than others. Hopefully, the power in this country will increasingly be generated in more environmentally sensitive ways.
Learn more about the New 2012 Plug-in Prius on December 6th, 2010. We will have a Plug-in Prius here at Jon Lancaster Toyota, Madison WI. Later that night we will have a clinic on this vehicle. If you are interested please email sl@jonlancaster.net
