Plug-In Prius: Work In Progress

By: Anthony Fontanelle

The Toyota Motor Corp. is intensifying its commitment in the
production of hybrids and environment-friendly auto technology.
The Japanese automaker's latest venture is the plug-in version
of its iconic Prius.

Under high-load situations such as high-speed roads, Prius PHEV,
the petrol engine will operate alike, leaving the car with the
same aptitude to go faster and use freeways. Current converted
Prius also operate in a high speed blended mode which can reduce
but not eliminate petrol consumption on the freeway.

When driving in slower conditions or other light loads, the
batteries will be used first in a charge-depleting mode,
allowing moderate commutes at low speeds to be driven entirely
on electricity. Once the batteries have been sufficiently
discharged the car will automatically revert back to the
charge-sustaining mode of the present Prius. Safe lithium-based
batteries will be available, slashing all risk of run-away
thermal conditions as seen in some laptop computer batteries.

Hybrids such as the present Prius use a conventional gasoline
engine as their primary source of power. A tiny, battery-powered
electric motor powers the car for very short distances at low
speeds and offers extra power at higher speeds. Toyota Prius is
the highest miles-per-gallon rating of any mass-produced car in
the United States.

One of the lucky auto journalists invited by the manufacturer of
Toyota 4x4 parts to test drive the
plug-in Prius is Martin Zimmerman of the Los Angeles Times.

Zimmerman writes: I had to go to Japan to do it, but I finally
got my hands on a plug-in hybrid. So with the automotive media
in town this week for the Tokyo Motor Show, Toyota perhaps
decided it was opportune to demonstrate it has been spending
time and money finding ways to replace the environmental
disaster that is the internal combustion engine - and has the
sheet metal to prove it. Which is how I came to be at a Toyota
test track near the foot of Mt. Fuji, surrounded by engineers,
interpreters, PR types and about half a dozen plug-in Priuses -
cars that may have a lot to say about how we get around in the
future.

According to Zimmerman, the plug-in hybrids were equipped with
nickel-metal hydride battery packs about twice the size of the
ones in the current-generation Prius. The reason is to simulate
the extra power the automaker intends to get from lithium ion
batteries. At present, the latter are the leading choice among
automakers for providing the power needed to move plug-in
hybrids appreciable distances on electricity alone.

"A second test drive in a different test car resulted in the
kind of torque-y acceleration electric motors are known for,
speeding smoothly and quickly up to 50 mph or so, at which point
an extra dose of throttle caused the gas engine to kick in -- as
expected. And this time, almost as soon as the pressure was
eased on the gas pedal, the car went back into electric-only
operation as it was supposed to," Zimmerman narrated.

"Truth be told, I think I was a bit spoiled by the hydrogen
fuel-cell Toyota Highlander I tried out just before the Prius
test runs. The mid-size sport utility vehicle, powered solely by
an electric motor, displayed very un-SUV-like oomph as I pushed
it past 50 mph. It was smooth as silk and brimming with torque,"
he concluded.

About the author:
Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up
in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive
magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.