This week, the new and ultra-efficient Toyota Prius Plug-in hybrid is launching to the UK’s reviewers, road testers and motoring writers.
We’ll be bringing you more for the event this week, and we’ll report back on the reviews as they come in so you can find out all about the car from the independent experts.
To coincide with the launch, we asked for your questions about the car, and we can now bring you the answers.
Read on for all you need to know about the Prius Plug-in – and don’t forget to leave us a comment below if your question hasn’t been answered yet.
How does the Prius Plug-in work?
The Prius Plug-in is what we term a PHEV, or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. It uses a development of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system that combines a rechargeable lithium-ion battery with a 1.8-litre petrol engine to deliver smooth, refined and ultra-efficient driving and incredible economy.
The lithium-ion battery means it can drive approximately 15.5 miles purely on electric power, meaning low running costs and zero emissions.
What is the range of the Prius Plug-in?
The electric-only range of the Prius Plug-in is approximately 15.5 miles, enabling typical commuter journeys to be accomplished with zero tailpipe emissions. Thanks to the hybrid powertrain’s petrol engine, Prius Plug-in is equally able to accomplish long distance trips.
Once the car has reached the limit of its EV driving range, it automatically operates in full hybrid mode, with the petrol engine coming into play. This means there is none of the concern about whether the car can reach its destination without running out of power – the ‘range anxiety’ that is typically associated with full electric vehicles.
How much does the Toyota Prius Plug-in cost?
Prices for the Toyota Prius Plug-in start at £32,895 on the road, but this falls to £27,895 with the benefit of the £5,000 Government grant available on new plug-in vehicle purchases, provided through the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV).
What is the CO2 emissions figure of the Prius Plug-in?
The Prius Plug-in achieves a new low benchmark in its class with official CO2 emissions of 49g/km, way below the 100g/km threshold for UK road tax (VED).
What are the fuel consumption figures of the Prius Plug-in?
Official combined mpg figures are 78.5mpg in HV (hybrid vehicle) mode. When you drive solely in EV (electric vehicle) mode, the Prius Plug-in uses no fuel. However, official figures been calculated for EV mode using a standard testing cycle which takes the average from one run with a fully charged battery and a second run with a depleted battery.
Do I need to charge the Prius Plug-in?
Not necessarily. If the Prius Plug-in’s battery is not charged, it simply performs as a ‘standard’ Toyota hybrid vehicle, using the engine and/or the electric motor depending on the driving conditions and battery state of charge.
However, charging the battery does ensure the highest levels of efficiency and zero-emissions driving, particularly in stop-start or low-speed conditions, so we recommend regular charging.
What happens when the EV battery on Prius Plug-in runs out of charge?
The car automaticlaly switches to HV (hybrid vehicle) mode and runs as a standard Toyota Hybrid, just like the normal Prius.
[youtube width=”580″ height=”400″]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVe_-bps7hw[/youtube]What do I need to charge the Toyota Prius Plug-in?
The Prius Plug-in comes with a dedicated charging cable, which fits under the boot floor. This plugs into a standard domestic socket, but we recommend an isolated charge point is installed to protect against overloading your home’s system. Toyota’s recommended supplier of electric car charging points in British Gas, who will provide a free site survey to our customers. British Gas says it can supply a charging point for as little as £375 – find out more on the Toyota website. Buyers are not obliged to use British Gas.
How long does it take to fully recharge the Prius Plug-in?
Around 1.5 hours using a standard 240V electrical supply.
How long is the EV battery warranty?
The EV battery has a warranty of eight years. The Prius Plug-in benefits from the standard five-year Toyota Warranty.
What is the battery life of the Prius Plug-in?
The lithium-ion battery is designed to last the life of the vehicle.
How much heavier is the battery pack from the regular Prius?
The Lithium-ion battery in the Prius Plug-in weighs 80kg, the Nickel-Metal Hydride battery of the Prius weighs 42kg.
Does the EV battery take away space from the passenger compartment or luggage capacity?
Luggage capacity above the floor is only 2 litres smaller in the Prius Plug-in than in Prius, at 443 litres (compared with 446 litres for Prius). Below the floor, space is smaller – 40.5 litres vs. 48 litres. Total load volume increases to 1,120 litres when the rear seats are folded.
These figures were measured by the VDA method.
What is the fuel tank capacity of the Prius Plug-in?
45 litres.
What is the 0-62mph time of the Toyota Prius Plug-in?
The 0-62mph time is 11.4 seconds. Top speed is 112mph.
How does the Prius Plug-in compare with the Prius in terms of performance?
The top speeds of the two cars are the same, at 112mph. The Prius has a 0-62mph time of 10.4 seconds, one second quicker than the Prius Plug-in.
Does the Prius Plug-in have a spare wheel?
The Prius Plug-in comes with a tyre repair kit to save weight.
Is DAB digital radio available on the Prius Plug-in?
DAB digital radio is available as a dealer-fit option.
Does the Prius Plug-in have Adaptive Cruise Control?
The Prius Plug-in has cruise control as standard. Adaptive Cruise Control is not available.
Can I pre-heat the interior of the Prius Plug-in before using it?
Pre-heating is not available on Prius Plug-in. This is because the car’s air conditioning is coordinated with the standard front seat heaters. This enables the system to reach a comfortable temperature for the driver and passenger more quickly and effectively, further improving efficiency.
When does the Prius Plug-in go on sale?
The Toyota Prius Plug-in is arriving in UK showrooms now (July 2012).
How can I book a test drive?
You can book a test drive in the Toyota Prius Plug-in on the Toyota UK website.
How can I read a brochure for the Toyota Prius Plug-in?
You can read the online eBrochure or order a paper brochure on the Toyota website, or find out more about the car here.
Hello Mike
Thanks for your post.
We are aware that the price of the Toyota cable is more expensive and we have passed your comments back to the product team. We have to ensure that Toyota Genuine Parts meet the quality standards which we set as a vehicle manufacturer. There is however always the option to purchase aftermarket accessory items should an owner wish to do so. Thanks again for your feedback.
With respect, wouldn’t one of those quality standards be that it actually works with the charging points someone will have bought it for…? The posts about this problem date back several months now ago, I would have thought by now this blog would have had had a clear answer on it, and an offer to refund those who bought the Toyota part where it does not do the job it was obviously bought for.
On June 4th you wrote:
“We are currently reviewing our position and are looking to absorb the price for our customers. Keep your eye out for a bulletin from us in the next few weeks.”
That’s 10 weeks. Where would I look for such a bulletin, please?
David Gatehouse
(CORRECTION) Sorry – July 23rd, not June 4th.
Still – would such a bulletin appear on this site, or elsewhere?
David Gatehouse
Hi David. Government funding support for the existing free charge-point offer underwent a review in June 2014. Following this review, the terms and conditions of the funding were changed, resulting in the the free friends & family wall charger offer by British Gas no longer being available. We have now entered into a partnership with British Gas and will jointly be funding a Free Wall Charger Offer for new Prius Plug-in customers.
As with the previous British Gas offer, the following is included:
· A free 16 Amp data-enabled charging point with a recommended connector that’s suitable to your vehicle, providing more convenient charging at home
· Home suitability survey and data enabled charging point installation. Survey and installation by a fully trained
British Gas electrician on the same day for the customers
· Installation of a dedicated circuit, separate from a home electrical circuit, allowing for charging that won’t affect home electrics
· Earthing connection for ensured safety, supplied as standard and in line with industry guidelines
· Three year data enabled charging point warranty and three year parts and labour warranty
In order for you to apply for this offer you will need to contact British Gas on 0800 9808175 or at their website britshgas.co.uk/electric vehicles and quote their Vehicle Stock Number.
We hope this helps. If you have any more questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Thanks.
Just how can Toyota boast about ‘zero’ emissions when the charging current comes from our UK power stations? Many are coal and gas fired, windmills being almost useless.
How about being honest and putting in your adverts the weight of CO2 produced by a power station per kilowatt/BHP ? Now that would be most interesting and enlightening and could even encourage more sales,
Hi John
Thanks for your post.
We would only ever boast about zero emissions during use as hybrid and Plug-in hybrid cars can run solely on electric power at lower speed. Good point about the power stations however quoting a figure would depend on where in the country the car was charged and how power for that area is sourced. Nevertheless this is something to be considered for the future. We have always been honest and open about our hybrid technology and agree that the ultimate eco car has to be hydrogen whose only emissions are water. Hybrid is at least a technology we can use now that does address the issue of emissions including those that affect human health.
Thank you again for your feedback and we do appreciate your comments.
Hello
I understand that the Toyota PIP uses 16 amp charging point. However many of the charging points are 32 amps in the country. Will using a 32 amp charging point for PIP cause any damage to the system?
Hi Jay
Thanks for your post.
Just to let you know we are looking into this with our technical team but it will be Monday before we can confirm the details.
I have just bought a Prius Plug In but can find no information how I charge my car? Where do I go to charge the car. Do I have to register with a company, and if so who ?
The information on line is very poor
Hello Roy
Thanks for your post and hope you are pleased with your Prius Plug-in. You do not mention whether you have purchased the car new or second hand but for the basis of the reply below we are assuming second hand.
In terms of charging, we have a chapter in the vehicle handbook (P87 onwards) about the equipment supplied and how to charge the car from an external source. If for any reason you do not have one of these then they can be purchased at the parts department at your local Toyota dealer, all of whom will have a charging point and can give you a demonstration if required. In terms of charging from your home then you can visit British Gas (a preferred supplier) who can advise about setting up a dedicated charging point in your home.
This link will take you to their web page. http://www.britishgas.co.uk/products-and-services/energy-saving/electric-vehicles.html
Finally we would recommend that if you know the charging points in your area you are likely to use then make a note of the manufacturer of the post so you can visit their website to find out about access and cables that they use. (This can sometimes vary). Again your local dealer may be able to help you with further information regarding this.
Hope this helps clarify for now but let us know if you have any further questions.
I am very disappointed to discover a dreadful parts shortage [Plug-in Prius]. I broke my rear light, and the local dealer announced that there were ‘none in Europe’. It took three weeks to arrive from Japan. That is not good enough. Cars must be off the road for trivial bumps?