How It Works

The Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid looks like the regular Prius, but it has an extended EV mode. Under this mode utilizing the new battery pack, you can drive between 12 and 15 miles on nothing but electric power.

It is called a "plug-in" hybrid because it plugs into any standard wall outlet and charges in just three hours, so you do not have to plan for overnight charging or install an expensive charging station. If you do have a 240-volt outlet, charging time is cut in half to 1.5 hours.

The plug in Prius was designed to combat the fact that the cost and durability of large-capacity batters for fully electric vehicles is still prohibitive. Because of this, Toyota gave the Prius small lithium ion batteries to supplement its current hybrid-electric power train.

The batters weigh 330 pounds, and this does add to the heaviness and maneuverability of the vehicle, but not to the point of being uncomfortable. After the electric charge is depleted, the vehicle runs the same as the standard-issue Prius using the Hybrid Synergy Drive engine.

Gas Mileage

Gas mileage is always a concern for people interested in hybrid and electric vehicles, and the Prius definitely delivers in that regard. Once the battery charge is depleted, it receives an EPA estimated 51-mpg city and 48-mpg highway using the This allows the driver to get an astonishing 475 miles on a single tank of gas in ideal driving conditions.

Drivability

The Prius plug-in is built just like the standard Prius. If you have driven and liked a Prius, you will likely feel comfortable in this new model. The heavier weight does make a few differences. It takes about 10 seconds to go from 0 to 60, and it handles slowly in low-speed transition situations.

The ride at the rear wheels is slightly more jarring than in the standard Prius simply due to this weight. If you tend to notice a lack of torque when you stop and start, you may feel this to be a problem with this vehicle, but otherwise it handles well and is comfortable to drive.

Toyota Prius Plug-In

There is one quirk that the 2012 Prius plug in has that can limit the effectiveness of its short-range electric-only mode. It can switch to the gasoline mode before the EV batteries are fully depleted, and it will do so if you push the throttle past the three-quarter point.

So, if your goal is to drive in EV mode as long as possible, or for your entire trip if you are running a short errand, you will need to carefully drive so as not to push the throttle past that point.

This can increase the time it takes to accelerate to 60 from a stop as well, because you will not have the full throttle available to you. For average driving around town, when the EV option is the most important to most drivers, this will not be a problem.

Plugging In

The only visible difference between this new Prius and the standard Prius hybrid is the small door on the front of the car that hides the plug-in cord. Plugging in is simple. You just need a standard wall outlet.

However, if you plan to use the EV option regularly, you will need to plug in every time you drive, because the EV range is so short. Once you are in this habit, however, it will just seem natural.

Bottom Line

The new battery pack on the Prius plug-in hybrid is basically more like an added option to the traditional hybrid than a completely new car. Toyota has not yet decided on a final price for the vehicle, but they have indicated an additional $3,500 to $5,000 for the plug-in hybrid option on the Prius.

Knowing whether or not it will ultimately save money for the drive depends on many factors, including the cost of electricity in the region and the number of trips the drive will take within the short EV radius.

In a way, the additional battery pack makes the Prius plug-in the ultimate upgrade to an already available hybrid vehicle, adding an additional EV range for those who appreciate that availability but do not want to go all electric and sacrifice the ability to drive across the country.

The ability to drive without the need for gas is the dream of drivers across the country who are hurting from ever-increasing gas prices. However, all electric vehicles are few come with a high MSRP and have limited driving ranges.

The Toyota Prius hybrid offers the best of both worlds – a fully EV motor combined with the traditional hybrid vehicle design. This has earned it the name "plug-in hybrid