Plug-in Prius reaches Australia

Australia is one of the countries playing a part in Toyota's global trial of the Plug-in Prius. The five experimental cars here are based on the 'conventional' Prius and are to be tested by government and business partners selected by Toyota Australia.

"The trial will allow Toyota and its end-user partners to gather real-world information to better understand expectations for plug-in technology," said Toyota Australia senior executive director sales and marketing David Buttner.

What distinguishes the Plug-in model is principally the lithium-ion battery power -- as opposed to the nickel metal-hydride batteries of the standard Prius. The more advanced, energy-dense batteries of the Plug-in model allow it to run up to 20km in electric mode alone. By comparison, the standard Prius has a range of just 2km on battery power.

In electric mode, the Plug-in Prius can attain a maximum speed of 100km/h, which is a substantial gain over the 50km/h theoretical maximum of the standard car in EV mode. Presumably constant running at the maximum will eat into that 20km range.

Once the battery power is expended, the Plug-in Prius will crank up the internal combustion engine and operate like the standard car, with the petrol-fuelled piston engine providing motive drive as well as recharging the batteries. In this respect it's unlike the Chevrolet Volt, which has its own combustion engine that operates purely as a range-extender.

While the EV range for the Plug-in Prius falls far short of the range for Mitsubishi's electric-only i-MiEV, Toyota does argue that the Plug-in Prius will never leave the driver stranded. Not only can it be recharged from a 15-Amp power outlet, as is true of the i-MiEV, but it can be refuelled at any service station if the batteries are run down and the fuel tank is low. From the 15-Amp outlet, the Plug-in Prius can be fully recharged in 100 minutes, or a little over an hour and a half.

"If you forget to plug it in, you will still be able to drive to work, and you will be able to continue to drive beyond the range of the battery pack," said Buttner.

"Unlike electric cars, you will not have to drive with one eye on the road and one eye on the electric power gauge. After using its electric-only range, the Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle reverts to normal petrol-electric hybrid operation, such as that of Prius or Hybrid Camry."

Aussie users for the trial have been selected on the strength of their commitment to the concept, among other criteria. Australia joins other countries involved in the global trial, including Japan, the United States, the UK, France, Canada and New Zealand.

Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...