Dayton Toyota
2291 US Route 130
S. Brunswick, NJ 08810
- Sales: (866) 918-2725
- Service: (866) 920-2726
- Parts: (888) 855-5141
- Body Shop: (888) 414-0982
New Jersey's 1st Toyota Dealer
Prius Plug-In Information
Fast Facts on the 2012
Toyota Prius Plug-in
Hybrid:
2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid
It used to be that every motorist had a basic checklist of tools in their trunk; items such as a first aid kit, tire jack, flares and jumper cables. But as the age of the electric car draws ever closer, add one more tool - the 110-volt power cable.
One car that already has a 110-volt cable in the trunk is the 2012 Toyota Prius PHV (Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle). Of course, the very first question people ask of the new plug-in Prius is how it differs from the traditional Prius. From the exterior, the only noticeable difference is the power jack flap door on the front driver?s side fender, but under the sheetmetal, there are several.
3.5 kWh lithium-ion batteries instead of nickel-metal hydride delivering:
Up to 14 miles of pure EV power (depending on driving behavior & conditions)
Up to 60 mph under pure EV power
Fuel economy readings as high as 100 mpg
The Prius PHV shares the same Hybrid Synergy Drive platform as the traditional Prius and can be recharged in as little as 1.5 hours on 220-volt power and 3 hours on standard 110 volt power. It's lithium-ion batteries can handle frequent charges better than traditional nickel-metal hydride, but lithium-ion is very temperature sensitive, which could be problematic for owners living in extreme climates such as Arizona or Minnesota. And because of the additional batteries, there's no spare tire. But along with the 110-volt cable in the toolbox, it does have sealant and a compressor.
Justifying the Price
According to a recent New York Times article quoting a Toyota executive, the price premium over a traditional Prius may be as little as only $3,000-$5,000. It?s a relative bargain compared to other EVs hitting the market between $40K-$50K, but the big question for potential buyers is can the additional cost over a traditional Prius be justified and recovered in fuel savings?
And the big answer is?good luck figuring it out. The biggest dilemma with the plug-in hybrid seems to be its ambiguity in true energy savings. Read any of the latest reviews on the Prius PHV, and you'll see reported MPG ranges from mid-40s to as high as 100 mpg and pure EV mode distances between 5 miles and 15 miles.
The variables of the cars performance are numerous and aren't limited to:
But don't let these variables distract you from the overall value of the plug-in Prius. It really comes down to what kind of driving you do. On the whole, the more time spent in the city, the more likely the Prius PHV will perform with greater efficiency. If you take long freeway trips, the Prius PHV is less ideal because it can?t operate in EV mode above 65 mph. Therefore, for the long-haul freeway driver, a traditional Prius may be a better solution.
- Operates up to 14 miles in pure EV mode
- Can go as fast as 60 mph in pure EV mode
- Fuel economy readings as high as 100 mpg
- Fully-recharges in 3 hours on 110-volt power and 1.5 hours on 220-volt power
- Shares the same Hybrid Synergy Drive platform as the traditional Prius
- Uses higher performance lithium-ion batteries instead of nickel-metal hydride
- Typical city driving can net over 60% of driving time in pure electric mode
- Has the same 134 hp output as traditional Prius, but extra weight slows 0-60 time to 11 seconds
2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid
It used to be that every motorist had a basic checklist of tools in their trunk; items such as a first aid kit, tire jack, flares and jumper cables. But as the age of the electric car draws ever closer, add one more tool - the 110-volt power cable.
One car that already has a 110-volt cable in the trunk is the 2012 Toyota Prius PHV (Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle). Of course, the very first question people ask of the new plug-in Prius is how it differs from the traditional Prius. From the exterior, the only noticeable difference is the power jack flap door on the front driver?s side fender, but under the sheetmetal, there are several.
3.5 kWh lithium-ion batteries instead of nickel-metal hydride delivering:
Up to 14 miles of pure EV power (depending on driving behavior & conditions)
Up to 60 mph under pure EV power
Fuel economy readings as high as 100 mpg
The Prius PHV shares the same Hybrid Synergy Drive platform as the traditional Prius and can be recharged in as little as 1.5 hours on 220-volt power and 3 hours on standard 110 volt power. It's lithium-ion batteries can handle frequent charges better than traditional nickel-metal hydride, but lithium-ion is very temperature sensitive, which could be problematic for owners living in extreme climates such as Arizona or Minnesota. And because of the additional batteries, there's no spare tire. But along with the 110-volt cable in the toolbox, it does have sealant and a compressor.
Justifying the Price
According to a recent New York Times article quoting a Toyota executive, the price premium over a traditional Prius may be as little as only $3,000-$5,000. It?s a relative bargain compared to other EVs hitting the market between $40K-$50K, but the big question for potential buyers is can the additional cost over a traditional Prius be justified and recovered in fuel savings?
And the big answer is?good luck figuring it out. The biggest dilemma with the plug-in hybrid seems to be its ambiguity in true energy savings. Read any of the latest reviews on the Prius PHV, and you'll see reported MPG ranges from mid-40s to as high as 100 mpg and pure EV mode distances between 5 miles and 15 miles.
The variables of the cars performance are numerous and aren't limited to:
- Driving behavior
- Driving conditions
- How long you can drive in EV mode
- How long the trip is
- The cost of electricity in your area
- The cost of fuel in your area
But don't let these variables distract you from the overall value of the plug-in Prius. It really comes down to what kind of driving you do. On the whole, the more time spent in the city, the more likely the Prius PHV will perform with greater efficiency. If you take long freeway trips, the Prius PHV is less ideal because it can?t operate in EV mode above 65 mph. Therefore, for the long-haul freeway driver, a traditional Prius may be a better solution.