No plug-in Prius until 2015
No plug-in Prius until next gen model arrives in 2015, with improved battery tech to increase rangeAustralia will have to make do without a plug-in version of Toyota's Prius until the next all-new generation of the world's favourite hybrid hits the market.
Expected to arrive in 2015 and feature technology shared with new partner BMW, the all-new Prius is tipped to be the most fuel efficient petrol-electric hybrid car when it launches.
During a technology briefing in Paris this week, Toyota Australia's product planning chief, Greg Gardner, explained that Toyota was working on a number of different battery technology solutions with research partner BMW.
"TMC [Toyota Motor Corporation] is researching next-generation batteries with performance that greatly exceeds that of lithium-ion batteries. This research is aimed at bringing about the revolutionary advances in battery performance that will be necessary for the broad adoption of electric-motor-propelled eco-cars," Mr Gardner told motoring.com.au.
Mr Gardner added that Toyota was: "making good progress with lithium-air batteries," and noted that we could see big improvements in battery energy storage in 2015.
"The next level of hybrid tech is normally debuted on Prius. It [Prius] will always have the position of being the hybrid flagship and tech leader and so that's around about the time that will come in."
While the current Toyota Prius will continue in its current form for another few years, it's now unlikely we'll see the plug-in version of the iconic hybrid sold in Australia, with local testing in Victoria and New South Wales suggesting the 25km electric range is not good enough.
"Feedback from the Australian trial is that even better performance – especially in terms of EV-only range – is required for wider acceptance in the local market," said Mr Gardner.
"Our attention has [therefore] turned to the next-generation plug-in hybrid. We believe that, by 2015, plug-in hybrid technology will have evolved further.
"The goal for the next generation is a system that is smaller in size and lighter in weight. It will have improved fuel economy, better acceleration and longer all-electric range -- all with a short charging time," Mr Gardner said.
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