Toyota Ireland has introduced a new Plug-in Prius Hybrid car to Ireland, as part of a memorandum of understanding (MOU ) with the Irish Government aimed at analysing real world attitudes to PHVs.
Toyota is running this demonstration programme across Europe for the coming 18 months in advance of its full launch to the market in 2012. Initially, as part of this demonstration programme, there will be three vehicles based in Ireland, which will be placed with a number of leading Irish and multinational companies in order to test the vehicles under variable, everyday driving conditions.
Toyota has also signed an MOU with ESB as part of its programme, which will see the sharing of information between both organisations regarding the recharging infrastructure. This will support the planning and implementation of ESB’s nationwide charging infrastructure as well as providing valuable information on customer usage patterns and general attitudes to electric motoring.
Speaking at the introduction of the vehicles David Shannon, managing director, Toyota Ireland said, “Although the reduction of CO2 emissions didn’t become a recognised mainstream global issue until the 1990s, Toyota has been researching and developing mobility solutions that are kinder to the environment for more than 40 years in its quest to create the ultimate eco car. Although Toyota positions Hybrid Synergy Drive as its core technology for the future, we believe it’s important to follow more than one path in the development of more environmentally efficient mobility.
“Plug-in Hybrid is one such path and in effect this brings all of the benefits of EV motoring, while the presence of the petrol engine in the hybrid powertrain ensures that the Prius Plug-in is equally able to tackle longer journeys without long periods of recharging or range anxiety.
“The real-world experiences which will be derived from the companies and drivers involved in this programme will provide Toyota with valuable insights into driver attitudes and usage patterns to help shape strategies for the wider introduction of plug-in hybrids and recharging technologies.”
There will be three Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicles used for the programme. These are the same size and design as the current third generation full hybrid Prius, but with a significant difference - in place of the nickel-metal hydride, high-performance battery in the car’s Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain, a rechargeable lithium-ion battery is used.
This type of battery has the advantage of producing more power from less volume and weight, and it can be recharged through connection to a standard domestic or workplace electricity supply. As a result, the Prius Plug-in is able to run up to 20km further on its electric power alone (in EV mode ), according to battery charge and road conditions, and at higher speeds - up to a maximum 100km/h.
This gives the Prius Plug-in the ability to cover the majority of short urban commuter journeys with zero petrol consumption and zero tailpipe emissions. Overall combined cycle fuel consumption and CO2 output are also significantly improved at 2.6L/100km (108.6mpg ) and 59g/km.
