Daily Auto News Toyota to Sell Plug-In Hybrid in 2011
Daily Auto News
Toyota, the auto world’s leader in hybrid sales, just announced that it will start selling a plug-in version of its award-winning Prius in 2011.
This news breaks just one week after Chevrolet declared that its much-hyped Volt will go on sale in late 2010 — but in only California. Meanwhile, mass production on the long-awaited plug-in Nissan LEAF is slated for 2012.
The Prius Plug-In Hybrid (PHV), reports say, can travel up to 14.5 miles on its electric motor alone – but 870 miles with a full tank of gas. According to Reuters, “The Prius PHV can reach a top speed of 100 km/h (62 mph) in the electric motor mode and gets a combined EV and hybrid mileage of 57.0 km/litre (134 mpg).”
The LA Times adds, “Expect it to charge fully within 1.5 hours from a standard outlet — all that is required is a special heavy-duty cable…”
To put that in perspective, Chevy claims that its Volt can travel a distance of 40 miles only on electric power, and net an EPA rating of 230 mpg in city driving – with a combined mileage rating of more than 100 mpg. Depending on socket voltage, it can reach full charge in three to eight hours.
Toyota plans to test the Prius Plug-In Hybrid by making a limited number available for lease as early as this month. The Detroit News states, “About 600 of the vehicles will be introduced in Japan, the U.S. and Europe — 230 in Japan, 150 in the U.S. and 200 in Europe — over the first half of 2010 starting this month, the company said.”
Though pricing has yet to be announced, Reuters believes “it would likely be far cheaper than 3 million yen ($33,770).” The Volt is expected to carry a sticker price around $40,000.
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