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 N·m (14.5kgf·m)/4000 rpm
Motor	Type	Permanent magnet synchronous motor
	Maximum output	60 kW (82 PS)
	Maximum torque	207 N·m (21.1kgf·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

Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept

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