The 2009 Toyota Prius PHEV

Mention the word "hybrid" and the Toyota Prius inevitably comes to mind.

The same may soon be true about the term "plug-in hybrid" based on a 2009 prototype that the Japanese automaker has produced. Popular Mechanics took the mule out for a test drive, finding that the experience is much the same as the current Prius.

In fact, the 2009 Toyota Prius PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) prototype still uses the current nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, which are far too large and not nearly efficient enough. Around the back are a pair of these batteries with the charging system wedged in between. Toyota is working on a transition to lithium ion, but they've run into a couple of obstacles.


As a result, there are two possible fates for the 2009 Toyota Prius. First, the compact car may launch as a regular hybrid, only switching to a plug-in when the lithium-ion units are ready to go. Alternatively, the car will launch as a plug-in but with NiMH batteries, swapping them out for lithium-ion at a future date. Whatever the case, the 2009 Toyota Prius can get all the way up to 50mph before taking its first sip of gasoline.




Written by Josh White
Published in Automobiles