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33 · Saturday, December 26, 2009 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com Toyota introduces Prius Plug-In Hybrid Metroland Newspapers Carguide Magazine Toyota has confirmed the introduction of the Prius Plug-in Hybrid, a plug-in version of the third-generation Prius gasolineelectric hybrid vehicle. The Prius Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle (PHV) offers greater range on electric power only, significantly reducing fuel consumption and emissions. The PHV uses lithium-ion batteries, a first for Toyota, which can be charged from an external source as well as by the car's own hybrid drive system. Approximately 600 units will be introduced in Japan, the United States, and Europe over the first half of 2010. The Prius PHVs will be leased to government ministries, local governments, corporations including electric power companies, universities and research agencies, for use in a demonstration program aimed at collecting real-world driving data and spurring the development of battery-charging infrastructure. The Prius PHV can be charged using an external power source such as a household electric outlet and is the first vehicle produced by Toyota to be propelled by a lithium-ion battery. Further, due to the battery's expanded capacity, the vehicle has an extended electric-vehicle driving range, enabling use as an electric vehicle (EV) for short distances. While for medium and long distances, after battery power depletes to a level no longer allowing EV driving mode, the vehicle functions as a conventional petrol-electric hybrid vehicle (HV). Thus, use is not constrained by remaining battery power or availability of battery-charging infrastructure. Furthermore, PHVs, such as the Prius Plug-in Hybrid, are expected to achieve fuel efficiency superior to conventional gasoline-electric HVs, reduce consumption of fossil fuels and reduce CO2 emissions and atmospheric pollution.