You can make a strong argument that in North America, the Toyota Prius introduced the marketplace to the hybrid electric powertrain. It’s recently grown an adjunct version, the plug-in Prius Prime – say that three times fast – which mates Toyota’s well-proven Hybrid Synergy Drive power system with new plug-in recharging capability. No special infrastructure is needed, given that the Prius Prime can be plugged directly into a normal household electrical outlet, with an 11-hour recharge using a normal 120-volt receptacle or about four hours on a Level 2 charger, ensuring a full charge while you pack for your trip.
With its dramatic looks, the Prius Prime will be sold across three trim levels: SE, XSE and XSE Premium. The vehicle’s all-electric range lasts up to 44 miles, and the hybrid powertrain is capable of up to 52 MPG in SE packaging. The fifth-generation hybrid drive is based on a 2.0-liter ICE powerplant augmenting lithium-ion batteries, with the package giving the Prius Prime the equivalent output of 200 horsepower regardless of trim level.
Jim Donnelly On Wheels 