09/10/2009
Toyota
Tokyo-TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announces it plans to display the "Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept"-a concept vehicle that combines the benefits of CO2 emissions-reducing electrical-outlet battery charging and gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles-at the 2009 Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA) (Frankfurt Show) to be held from September 15 to 27. The Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept is based on the third-generation gasoline-electric Prius and is equipped with a lithium-ion battery.
A plug-in hybrid vehicle basically operates as an electric vehicle on short trips and as a conventional hybrid vehicle on longer ones. Its electric vehicle attributes mean it has a longer total cruising distance and better overall fuel efficiency than a conventional hybrid; this means lower fossil fuel consumption and, thus, reduced CO2 emissions and atmospheric pollution. But because it is a hybrid vehicle, it can run regardless of battery charge and is not completely dependent on a battery-charging infrastructure.
TMC is developing a plug-in hybrid vehicle that can be charged using external power sources (such as household electricity), based on its hybrid technology, which it has positioned as a core technology for environmentally considerate vehicles. The concept model TMC will display at the Frankfurt Show has a targeted electric-vehicle cruising range of approximately 20 kilometers on a full charge, and its targeted CO2
emissions level is below 60 grams per kilometer*.
TMC believes plug-in hybrid vehicles represent an environmentally considerate solution that can be widely applied to respond to the diversification of energy sources. As such, TMC intends to introduce approximately 500 plug-in hybrid vehicles globally-approximately: 200 in Japan, 150 in the United States, 150 in Europe (including France, the United Kingdom and Germany); primarily to fleet customers-to encourage market acceptance and promote understanding.
TMC will continue its efforts to achieve sustainable mobility by using its hybrid technologies to develop plug-in hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles and fuel-cell hybrid
vehicles, which are expected to help reduce fossil fuel consumption, lower CO2 emissions and respond to the diversification of energy sources.
Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept Specifications
Length 4,460 mm
Width 1,745 mm
Height 1,490 mm
Engine Displacement 1,797 cc
Maximum output 73 kW (99 PS)/5200 rpm
Maximum torque 142 Nm (14.5 kgf-m/4000 rpm
Motor Type Permanent magnet synchronous motor
Maximum output 60 kW (82 PS)
Maximum torque 207 Nm (21.1 kgf-m)
HV battery Type lithium-ion battery
CO2 emissions below 60 g/km (target), according to the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC)*
EV cruising range approx. 20 km (target), according to the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC)*
Recharging time 100V approx. 180 minutes (target)
200V approx. 100 minutes (target)
*Measured in line with new official international regulations for plug-in hybrid electric powertrains