Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid
The Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid is a hybrid car plug-in (PHEV) produced by Toyota Motor Corporation launched in the Japanese market in January 2012, in the United States in February, and Europe in June 2012.
The Prius PHEV is based on the third generation Toyota Prius (model ZVW30) and uses lithium ion 5.2 kWh co-developed with Panasonic, allowing an operation in pure electric mode at higher speeds and even greater distances than a conventional Prius. The Prius plug-in has a range in 100% electric mode 14.5 mi (23km) with speed up to 62mph (100km/h). The lithium-ion batteries can be recharged in 180 minutes making 100 volts or 100 minutes at 200 volts. The plug-in Prius has a fuel economy of 134 mpg (57km/liter) fuel efficiency calculated assuming a 43.6% operating in electric mode (EV), and CO2 emissions of 41 g /km. fuel economy operating as gasoline-electric hybrid, like a conventional Prius is 72 mpg (30km/l) with CO2 emissions of 76 g /km.
A global demonstration program involving 500 car race (pre-production) was released in late 2009 and early 2010 in Japan, Europe and the United States. By October 2012 the Global sales of the Prius PHVs reached more than 21,600 units, with 9,623 sold in the United States, followed by Japan with 9,500 units and Europe with more than 2,400 units.
This model uses the same system of electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (E-CVT Rates) that is employed in other Prius models