Toyota Prius: Difference between revisions

"Prius" redirects here. For the Japanese personal computer, see Hitachi Flora Prius.

Toyota Prius Overview Manufacturer Toyota Motor Corporation Also called Toyota Hybrid Production 1997–present Assembly Toyota City, Japan Body and chassis Class Hybrid car Layout FF layout

NHW10 Overview Production 1997–2001 Body and chassis Class Compact car Body style 4-door sedan Powertrain Engine Toyota Hybrid System Gasoline: 1.5 L DOHC I4 13.5:1 compression 43 kW (58 hp) @ 4000 rpm 102 N·m (75 ft·lbf) @ 4000 rpm Electric: 288 V motor 30 kW (40 hp) @ 940 rpm 305 N·m (225 ft·lbf) @ 0 rpm Dimensions Length 4275 mm (168.3 in) Width 1694 mm (66.7 in) Height 1491 mm (58.7 in)

NHW11
Overview
Production	2000–2003
Body and chassis
Class	Compact car
Body style	4-door sedan
Powertrain
Engine	Toyota Hybrid System Gasoline: 1.5 L DOHC I4 VVT-i 13.0:1 compression 52 kW (70 hp) @ 4500 rpm 110 N·m (82 ft·lbf) @ 4200 rpm Electric: 273.6 V motor 33 kW (44 hp) @ 1040 rpm 350 N·m (258 ft·lbf) @ 0 rpm SULEV
Transmission	1-speed CVT
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2550 mm (100.4 in)
Length	4308 mm (169.6 in)
Width	1694 mm (66.7 in)
Height	1463 mm (57.6 in)
Curb weight	1254.2 kg (2765 lb)

NHW20
Overview
Production	2004–present
Body and chassis
Class	Midsize car
Body style	5-door hatchback
Powertrain
Engine	Hybrid Synergy Drive Gasoline: 1.5 L DOHC I4 VVT-i 57 kW (76 hp) @ 5000 rpm 115 N·m (85 ft·lbf) @ 4200 rpm Electric: 500 V 50 kW (67 hp) @ 1200 rpm 400 N·m (295 ft·lbf) @ 0 rpm AT-PZEV Net power: 110 hp (82 kW)
Transmission	CVT
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2700 mm (106.3 in)
Length	4450 mm (175.33 in)
Width	1725 mm (67.97 in)
Height	1490 mm (58.71 in)
Curb weight	1325 kg (2921 lb)

Hybrid Synergy Drive

The Toyota Prius is the first mass-produced and marketed hybrid automobile/car. In Latin, prius means "before". It went on sale in Japan in 1997, and worldwide in 2001. By the end of 2003, nearly 160,000 units had been produced for sale in Japan, Europe, and North America. The Prius (2000 to 2003 model years) is certified as a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) by the California Air Resources Board (CARB). With the 2004 model, the Prius was redesigned as a midsize hatchback and certified as an Advanced Technology Partial zero-emissions vehicle (AT-PZEV). The 2000 model Prius slotted between the Echo and Corolla in the company's North American lineup. The 2004 model slots between the Corolla and Camry.

The Prius has won numerous awards including Car of the Year awards for Europe, Japan and North America. It is most famous for its fuel economy. The U.S. EPA has rated it the current version at 60 mpg (U.S. gallons) in city driving and 51 mpg highway, although real-world results tend to average in the upper 40's mpg (about 5l/100km). See additional discussion below.

In the United States, the Prius initially attracted buyers interested in the vehicle's low particulate emissions, advanced technology, and high fuel economy. In 2006, demand for the Prius broadened for several reasons: the rising price of gasoline made the vehicle's fuel economy more attractive; tax credits provided by the federal government lowered the end-price to consumers; and some states introduced privileges for hybrid vehicle drivers. California, Maryland and Virginia, for example, allowed single-occupant hybrid vehicles in HOV-lanes.

Discussion that is common to all hybrids, including benefits and criticisms of hybrid vehicles, is at Petroleum-electric hybrid vehicle page (often referred to as HEV, or hybrid-electric vehicle).

How it works

The Prius is a full hybrid, a vehicle that can run on just the engine, just the batteries, or a combination of both. Toyota's design goals are to reduce the amount of pollution and to maximize fuel efficiency. To do this, it uses a gasoline/electric hybrid powertrain, incorporating large batteries that are charged by the gas (petrol) engine directly or by regenerative braking (cannot be plugged in as built). Either the engine or the battery (or both) can power the vehicle, depending on conditions. This gives it the acceleration and power of a standard car having a much larger gasoline-burning engine. Specifically, the Prius incorporates:

1. More efficient use of the internal combustion engine (ICE), reducing gasoline/petrol consumption. The 1NZ-FXE engine uses the more efficient Atkinson cycle instead of the more common Otto cycle;
2. Two electric motor/generators, MG1 and MG2 are in the transaxle. The MG2 provides 50 kW (67 hp) @ 1,200 to 1,540 rpm and 400 N·m (295 ft·lbf) torque from 0 to 1,200 rpm, which significantly contributes to performance and economy. The MG1, with rpm from -10,000 to +10,000 rpm, provides the engine starter and counter torque for the electronic Continuously Variable Transmission;
3. 50 kW IGBT inverter controlled by a 32-bit microprocessor, which efficiently converts power between the batteries and the motor/generators.
4. Lower coefficient of drag at 0.26 (0.29 for 2000 model), with a Kammback design reducing air resistance, especially at higher speeds;
5. Lower rolling-resistance tires on the 2000 model, reducing road friction;
6. Regenerative braking, a process for recovering kinetic energy when braking or travelling down a slope and storing it as electrical energy in the traction battery for later use while reducing wear and tear on the brake pads;
7. Sealed 168-cell nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery providing 201.6 volts;
8. Continuously variable transmission — the Prius uses a computer-managed (rather than a mechanical) CVT; Toyota calls it the Power Split Device. The electric motors and gasoline engine are connected to a planetary gear set which is always engaged, and there is no shifting.
9. Flexible resin gasoline tank, reducing the amount of hydrocarbon emissions in the form of escaped gasoline vapour; (US model only)
10. Vacuum flask coolant storage system that stores hot engine coolant when the vehicle is powered off, then reuses it to reduce warm-up time. (US model only)
11. EV Mode (Europe and Asian markets only, aftermarket option in the U.S.) allows the driver to select electric-only mode in low-power conditions. The vehicle can only be driven a couple kilometers (depending on conditions) on battery power alone before the gas engine is needed.
12. Weight reduction — for example the hatch and hood/bonnet are made of aluminium instead of steel.

One reason that the Prius gets such good gasoline mileage is that the ICE is smaller than in most cars this size. The ICE usually shuts off at stop lights and when backing up and descending long hills. The Prius performance remains very good because the battery/electric motor booster automatically provides more than enough extra power for acceleration and hill climbing. This means it drives like a traditional ICE automobile, with the on-board computer taking care of shifting power to and from the engine and motors, and automatically determining when to charge the battery, as well as the most efficient use of the engine or the electric motors (or both) based on driving conditions. This also means that one cannot use electricity from external sources. Advocates of 'plug-in' hybrids consider this to be a missed opportunity. The Prius also uses its electric motor to recharge the battery during braking, with kinetic energy normally wasted as heat being recaptured. This also significantly reduces brake wear.

The engine can shut down once it has warmed up and the catalytic converter in the exhaust system has reached operating temperature. The Prius can then operate solely on electric power under low energy loads. This is sometimes referred to as "stealth mode" due to the lack of engine noise. This further reduces gasoline consumption and engine wear. When driving conditions demand additional power, the engine starts up automatically.

A battery module used on the Prius

The on-board computer ensures that the engine runs under the most efficient conditions. Typically, a petrol/gasoline engine runs inefficiently at half-throttle, creating a choking condition. This effect, called pumping loss, is a major reason for the inefficiency of gasoline engines compared to diesels. The Prius minimizes pumping loss by running the gasoline engine at a high torque range with the throttle fully open. Drive-by-wire throttle control technology and Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive (a torque combiner, electric drive, and computer control) are essential to this engine control.

Energy Monitor on the 2005 Prius Multi-Function Display (MFD), showing energy flow to/from the engine, battery, and from the regenerative braking, as well as battery charge level.

In addition to the immediate benefit of reducing fuel consumption and emissions, stopping the combustion engine also improves the performance of the catalytic converter. In a non-hybrid vehicle the exhaust gases from an idling engine tend to cool the catalysts below their optimal temperature.

Energy screen on the 2003 Prius

The frequent starting and stopping of the engine does not cause additional wear and tear or emission problems because the drive motors have enough power to quickly spin the engine to optimal rpm (around 1,000) before the engine fires up. This avoids the wear that would occur if the engine were to run (with fuel and spark) at very low rpm.

Electric power steering

THS inverter unit (from NHW11)

For any car, aerodynamic losses due to drag are much greater on the highway than in low speed city driving. A non-hybrid car nonetheless gets worse mileage in city driving because its engine is far less efficient at low power, such as when stopped in traffic, and because it must frequently dump its kinetic energy into the brakes during stop-and-go driving. The Prius gets better fuel efficiency in city dynamometer cycles because the engine can shut down instead of running at low power, and run solely off the battery at low speeds and when stopped (including the cabin air heating/cooling system and the power steering). Also, the car's kinetic energy is captured when braking and stored in the battery. According to EPA tests [12], the 2004-2006 Prius gets 60 mpg (US) in the city dynamometer tests, compared with 51 on the highway, and Natural Resources Canada estimates 58.8 mpg (US) (4.0 L/100 km) in the city and 56.0 (4.2 L/100 km) on the highway. [13] (Owing to peculiarities of these tests, few drivers obtain these mileage values in typical suburban circumstances, but "real world" performance with careful driving can come close. Typical real-world drivers get about 46-50 mpg or 5 liters/100km, hypermilers can get up 100 mpg.) This means the greatest advantages of a hybrid are mainly in city driving, though factors including driving style, air conditioning use, and short trips may offset some of this advantage. The hybrid has less of an advantage in higher speed open road driving typical of intercity driving, yet obtains improved mileage under these circumstances since it can use a smaller and more efficient engine than would otherwise be required (because the battery and electric motor can provide the extra peak power needed for passing and limited hill climbing).

Versions

The first Prius model, NHW10, was sold only in Japan, though personal imports have been made to the British Isles, Australia, and New Zealand. Subsequent versions have seen wider sales, increased power and reduced battery weight.

Feature		Model code
		NHW10	NHW11	NHW20
Body style		4 Door Sedan	4 Door Sedan	5 Door Hatchback
First sales		1997	2000	2003
Battery	Modules	40	38	28
	Cells per module	6	6	6
	Total cells	240	228	168
	Volts per cell	1.2	1.2	1.2
	Total volts (nominal)	288	273.6	201.6
	Capacity amp hours	6.0	6.5	6.5
	Capacity Watt hours	1728	1778.4	1310.4
	Weight kg	57	50	45
Petrol Engine	Power kW	43	52	57
	Max rpm	4000	4500	5000
Electric Motor	Operating Voltage	288	273	500
	Power kW	30	33	50
Combined	Power kW	?	73	82

Production of the Prius for the China market began in December 2005 by Sichuan FAW Toyota Motor, a joint venture with First Automobile Works.

2001 to 2003 Prius (NHW11)

The first Prius sold in the U.S. It was a compact sedan, with a distinctive front hood (bonnet). Sold in relatively small numbers, it nevertheless gained wide attention and proved the market existed for a sensible hybrid vehicle as a family car.

2004 to 2007 Prius (NHW20)

2006 Prius Cut-away in Toyota Showroom in Paris

The Prius 2004 model was a complete redesign of the previous generations of Prius. The new model is larger inside and out (now a mid-size vehicle), gets even better gas mileage and is a hatchback. It is based on the new (second generation) Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD or also known as THSII), replacing the earlier Toyota Hybrid System (THS) technology. The first generation (1997 to 2003) used the engine to run the air conditioning compressor. While idling, the engine would need to start every minute or so if the air conditioning was running. In contrast, the 2004 model introduced an all-electric compressor for cooling. This not only allowed the use of air conditioning without the engine starting from time to time when the car was completely still, it also allowed more extensive use of the "stealth mode" (operation on electric motor only).

Its drag coefficient of 0.26 was then the second-lowest in the industry, after the Honda Insight at 0.25.

Regenerative braking was greatly improved, relying so little upon the friction-type brakes (except for panic stops) that some Toyota technicians quipped that the original brake pads might well last for the life of the car.

The 2004 Prius emerged as a midsize car with more room than the previous compact, redesigned as a "five-door" model (four doors plus a rear hatch). In general, the car remained conveniently narrow on the outside, rather flat-sided, and relatively tall (several inches taller than a Camry). The profile was more continuous, with a short sloping nose transitioning to a highly sloped windscreen and an arcing roofline ending in a cut-off Kammback. The additional height allowed a more erect seating position and a higher eye point, giving a better view of the road to the driver. There was also a surprising amount of additional rear-seat leg room, resembling that available in a much larger vehicle. Fold down rear seats with a 60/40 split made for easy carriage of most parcels. It retains a tight turning radius of 17 feet (34 feet or 10.4 meters in diameter), which when combined with a short hood is particularly useful in urban environments.

With a smaller and lower voltage NiMH battery and a boost converter to step the voltage up to 500 V, the 2004 model was more powerful (2 seconds faster in 0 to 96 km/h acceleration) and is 15% more fuel efficient than the previous generation Prius, with 60 miles per US gallon (4.3 L/100 km) city and 51 miles per US gallon (4.7 L/100 km) highway (according to the EPA) [14]. Except in short trips or extreme cold, typical commuting and mixed suburban drivers are reporting fuel consumption of 45 to 50 miles per US gallon (5.2 to 4.7 L/100 km). See also [15] or [16].

The multi-function-display (MFD) shows fuel consumption bars for each five minute segment of driving and this can encourage economical driving. The display also indicates instantaneous fuel consumption, which is useful for detecting when the vehicle has switched from electric-only to electric plus ICE. At this time it can usually be advantageous to accelerate quickly rather than lug the vehicle, in an attempt to get to a more favourable location or speed range for electric-only mode.

An option called the Smart Key System (SKS) eliminates the traditional ignition key. The "smart key," which resembles a conventional keyless entry remote, has buttons to remotely lock and unlock the door, as well as trigger the alarm system. It is not necessary to use any of the buttons to utilize the SKS. Approaching to within one meter of the car while in possession of the key (even inside a pocket or purse) causes the interior dome lights to fade in (if the switches are at the DOOR position). When the person with the key in their possession touches the inside of either of the front door handles, or the rear hatchback door handle, that door (or more) is immediately unlocked and can be opened. There are three settings in which the Smart Key System (SKS) can operate: driver's door unlocking mode, single door unlocking mode, and all doors unlocking mode. Once inside, the car may be started by pushing the "POWER" button while depressing the brake pedal, with the fob still safely tucked away inside your pocket or purse. To stop the car, push the "POWER" button again. Once parked, the car can be locked by a pushing a black button on the exterior door handle. The SKS will detect keys left inside the vehicle when powered-off, and will not allow the vehicle to be locked in this situation.

On cars which are not equipped with SKS, the driver uses the lock/unlock buttons on the fob, and puts the remote fob into a slot in the dash to allow the car to start.

The vehicle is classified as a SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle), 90% cleaner than conventional gasoline-only automobiles. It comes with an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (AT-PZEV) certification by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

As an interesting side note, an option package offered in Japan and Europe gives the Prius the ability to perform parallel and reverse parking assisted by the on-board computer — the first time such a capability has been offered on a production vehicle. Eighty percent of the Prius buyers in Japan have chosen this option. The system is not intelligent though, particularly lacking machine vision which would allow avoidance of obstructions or pedestrians, so it is very limited. [17]

The Prius also has an optional Bluetooth hands free kit for cellphones, which uses one of the stereo's speakers in the driver door, and a microphone near the rear-view mirror. The steering wheel has a dedicated button for answering and hanging up the phone while driving. The hands free system usually comes in the highest or next-to-highest packages from the dealership. Most, but not all Bluetooth phones are 100% compatible with the Prius [18]. Nearly all phones have the minimum functionality of using the car as a headset, but some phones also allow some or all of the following actions:

• Copy phone numbers to the Prius' (small) internal phone book (some allow them to be sent all at once).
• Display cell tower signal strength on any cellphone related screen.
• Cell phone ring tone heard through the car audio system.
• Voice dialling through car audio system.

The 2006 Prius introduced some minor cosmetic changes, along with optional features such as advanced airbags, a rear-view camera, an upgraded audio system (including a line-in port), an updated Navigation DVD with new user interface, and a higher-resolution LCD display.

The 2007 Prius carries over the newer features from 2006 (also slightly higher price), while making the advanced and side-curtain airbags standard on all models. Also available is a Touring Edition that includes an elongated larger rear spoiler as well as larger, sharper-pointed 7-spoke 16" alloy wheels with plastic hub cab cover to protect it from scratches when parking against the curb. In addition, the Touring Edition also comes with a firmer European tuned suspension, standard high-intensity-discharge (HID) headlights and integrated (non-HID) fog lights.

2009 Prius

The Prius is scheduled for a redesign for the 2009 model with a significant number of upgrades. It has been mentioned that the new Prius will receive an upgrade of the petrol (gasoline) engine from 1.5 litres to 1.8 litres. It will also receive new smaller and more powerful lithium ion batteries which should give the new Prius more cabin space. The upgraded specifications of the vehicle will give it vastly improved mileage rumoured to be between 80–113 MPG (2–3 L/100 km) to as well as improved acceleration giving it a sprint time of less than 10 seconds in 0–100 km/h (0–60 MPH) [19]. Although these are preliminary designs, in some cases artist sketches, the body is possibly redesigned to give a more sleek sport look [20]. An image as well as more information is available at Popular Mechanics' 2009 Toyota Prius: Spy Report article.

Awards

• 1997–98 Car of the Year Japan
• 2003 Scientific American names Toyota Motor Corporation as "Business Leader of the Year" ("Scientific American 50"; December, 2003) for its singular accomplishment in the commercialization of affordable hybrid cars.
• Motor Trend Car of the Year 2004 (January 2004 issue)
• Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 2004.
• North American Car of the Year award for 2004. Nominated in 2001.
• International Engine of the Year for 2004.
• "Best Engineered Vehicle for 2004" by SAE's Automotive Engineering International magazine.
• 2005 European Car of the Year (406 points, ahead of Citroën C4 with 267 points and Ford Focus II with 228).
• 2006 EnerGuide Award (Midsize)

Aftermarket products

EV mode

When the vehicle is turned-on with the "start" button, it is ready to drive immediately with the electric motor, while electric pumps warm the engine with previously saved hot engine coolant, before the internal combustion engine is started. The delay between starting the car and starting the internal combustion engine is approximately seven seconds. The Asian and European versions of this vehicle provide a button labelled "EV" that maintains Electric Vehicle mode after start up, under most low-load driving conditions. The North American model does not have the "EV" button, although the "EV" mode is still supported internally by the Prius high-voltage management computer. While some have speculated that EV mode was not included on North American models in the interest of retaining the longer warranted battery life of 150,000 miles (240,000 km) in certain US states, a Toyota chief engineer has stated that the EV button was omitted because its use can cause the catalytic converter to cool too much, leading to emissions problems[21]. In addition to information from on-line discussion groups, the PRIUS+ Project offers instructions for do-it-yourselfers who wish to enable the button. Additionally, the after-market components provider Coastal Electronic Technologies offers a kit.

Better batteries/plug-ins

Plug-in hybrids need a larger battery pack, preferably with batteries that can handle deeper discharge cycles without loss of lifespan better than NiMH batteries. These battery pack options are expensive at this time, comparable to a decent home-theater system. And it should be noted that all aftermarket options affecting the hybrid operation, including new battery packs, will void that part of the warranty. Plug-in battery options are for serious first-adapters only. Warnings aside, operation of the vehicle will be very similar to a normal hybrid, other than the electric operation will be more prevalent. Under high-load situations, such as high-speed roads, the gasoline (petrol) engine will operate as before, leaving the car the same ability to accelerate and use freeways. However, when driving in slower conditions or other light loads, the batteries will be tapped first, allowing moderate commutes at low speeds (particularly under 45 mph/80 kph) to be driven entirely on electricity. Safe lithium-ion batteries exist, eliminating all risk of run-away thermal conditions (spontaneously catch fire) as seen in some laptop computer batteries. Charging the battery pack will likely take place at home, overnight, using off-peak electricity. More discussion of benefits and costs can be found at HEV Trade-offs and Criticisms.

Evolving from the button project, The California Cars Initiative (CalCars) converted a Prius in 2004, adding larger batteries and found out how to safely charge the batteries without affecting the hybrid system. Private companies EDrive Systems in the USA and Amberjac Projects in the UK announced plans to sell conversion kits in 2006 (pushed back to 2007). The most recent versions use a new, patented advanced safe-format Lithium Battery from Valence Technology (VLNC, NASDAQ) called Saphion. Using the advanced batteries pushes the final price to an estimated $12,000 US. The energy density and far more efficient utilisation of these batteries provide around 20x the available power of the standard NiMH battery pack but at only double the weight. Tests show it capable of achieving >30 miles (50 km) in all electric mode at speeds below 34 mph (55 km/h). The internal combustion engine starts only at higher speeds or when extra acceleration is needed. Fuel economy (according to the company) is improved to 0.5-2 L/100km (100-500 mpg (US)) [22] depending on driving conditions. City driving may be possible without using the ICE at all, eliminating the use of almost all liquid fuel in exchange for electrical energy.

PriusPlus[23] is a similar project evolving from CalCars, using lead-acid batteries and a do-it-yourself kit. This $5000 US conversion gives a car that has 100 mpg under normal driving conditions. But with a (relatively) cheaper prices comes some caveats. All-electric mode can be used for 10-12 miles in street driving. In January 2007 issue of IEEE Spectrum, CalCars lead technical engineer, Ron Gremban, notes that drivers installing the CalCars Prius+ kit shouldn’t expect a 'positive financial payback.' In addition, the kit adds 135kg to the car's weight, reducing fuel economy over the stock Prius whenever the gasoline engine is used exclusively. The battery pack suffers in cold weather, has a limited life of about 400 deep discharges, and must be recharged within a day to maintain this lifespan. The hope is, by the time the batteries need replacing, a better option is on the market at a comparable price.

Hymotion[24] is a Canadian company planning on selling a kit incorporating Lithium-Ion batteries with similar characteristics as EDrive Systems for under $10,000 US. It is currently undergoing fleet testing.

Recently Toyota has announced that it intends to build a plug in hybrid vehicle at an unspecified future time. [25] [26]

Solar panels

Solar panels provide additional energy to the batteries while the vehicle is in motion or otherwise away from the grid. Solar panels are also useful when the Prius is parked for extended periods of time in a sunny location if it doesn't have a charger or is not connected to a power outlet. Some drivers have claimed up to 30% mileage improvements with the addition of their solar panels, although individual results are dependent on the size and efficiency of the solar panels as well as weather conditions. Drivers in Australia and the US south western states, for instance, see the largest mileage improvements on their Prius. One advantage of solar panels is that they do not wear out or depreciate like ICE components. [27] [28]

Notable facts

Taxi in Vancouver B.C.

Police in Ottawa

Traffic Warden car in Örebro, Sweden.

Parking Enforcement car in Laguna Beach, CA, United States.

Recalls

• In July 2006 Toyota issued a recall totaling 34,700 units covering early model (2001-2002) Prius and Echo cars (26,200 Echo and 8,500 Prius). This recall was not related to hybrid components of the car. The connector for the crankshaft position sensor may become disconnected.
• In May 2006, Toyota announced the recall of up to 170,856 Prius vehicles because of a crack which can develop in the steering shaft if the Prius is frequently steered at full lock, or if the front tires strike the curb. The fault can affect Priuses made in 2004 through to November 2005.
• On June 1, 2005, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the US started an investigation on the 33 reported cases of engine stalling when the Prius travels at highway speed. The cars were still operable under battery power for a short distance with substantial loss of power when the internal combustion engine failed to run. Toyota believes it was due to a computer programming error that was fixed in a recall (SSC-40D) issued back in September, 2004. The investigation needs to verify if all the valid reported cases occurred to cars that did not receive the software fix.
• In August 2004, Toyota began a Special Service Campaign (SSC 40G), affecting most previous-generation Prius cars manufactured between 2001 and mid-2003. This repair involves re-sealing terminals on the high-voltage battery to avoid minor electrolyte leakage. Repairs will be performed free of charge on affected automobiles.

Local incentives

• In the US, the Internal Revenue Service approved a series of tax deductions and credits through at least September 30, 2006. This amounts to $3150 tax credit for cars purchased between Jan 1, 2006 and Sept 31, 2006. Thereafter the credit dropped to half until an anticipated date of mid-2007, whereafter it will be one quarter ($725) before disappearing entirely under current tax law.
• Some companies such as Hyperion Solutions, Bank of America and Google give their employee incentives to purchase hybrid vehicles. Employees of Hyperion Solutions and Google can get a $5000 credit toward their purchase of a hybrid vehicle such as the Prius.
• Drivers of the Toyota Prius, or other hybrid engine automobiles are allowed to drive by themselves in Carpool (High Occupancy Vehicle) lanes in some US states such as Virginia (currently until July 1, 2007, and requires a special "Clean Fuel Vehicle" licence plate at $25 per year), California (currently until January 1, 2011, requires $8 one-time fee for a decal), Florida (requires $5 per year decal), New York and Arizona.
• Prius drivers in London, UK, are exempt from the £8 daily congestion charge (requires £10 per year registration).
• Prius drivers in Winchester, UK, used to qualify for free parking at a number of the city's car parks (season ticket worth ~ £800 per annum). This has now been discontinued due to lack of funding.
• Prius and other hybrid drivers purchasing a new hybrid in San Jose, California qualify for free parking city wide until July 1 2007.
• Prius and other hybrid drivers qualify for free parking in metered spaces in the City of Los Angeles, California until December 31, 2007.

Miscellaneous news

• The Wall Street Journal reported in 2007 that some blind people find the silence of the cars like the Prius to be a challenge in crossing the street.
• Due to the success of both the engineering and sales of the Prius, in 2005, Toyota has released a hybrid V-6 engine for the Lexus RX400h and a hybrid engine version of the Highlander.
• In June 2002 the Prius became the first ever hybrid car to complete a FIA rally. Driven by UK journalist Nik Berg and co-driver Tim Bampton, the Prius finished the 2002 Midnight Sun to Red Sea Marathon in 15th place after completing 8,000 km (5,000 miles) in 20 days of rallying.
• Starting with the 2004 model, Toyota is now producing the Prius on a standard mass-production assembly line, resulting in one being produced every minute instead of one every 8 to 10 minutes. The use of a standard assembly line has dropped the manufacturing cost significantly, allowing Toyota to deliver a substantially upgraded model, which in turn has generated publicity and popularity. The limiting factor in Prius (and Lexus RX400h) production now appears to be third-party component availability, particularly batteries.
• The battery pack of the 2004 Prius is warranteed for 160,000 km (100,000 miles) or 8 years, although Toyota has stated that they expect it to last 15 years. The warranty is extended to 240,000 km (150,000 miles) or 10 years for Prius in California and several other states that adopted the Californian emission control standards.
• The NHW20 Prius fuel tank holds 45 litres (11.9 US gal), although the internal bladder in American models limits the fill, giving a range of up to 1,000 km (600 miles). The fuel tank capacity for a European NHW11 without the bladder is 50 litres.

Notable owners

JJ Abrams Jessica Alba Mark Amerika Derek Bok Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google Jerry Bruckheimer Steve Carlesi, producer for The Opie and Anthony Show Chevy Chase Brian Cox Sheryl Crow Billy Crystal Peter Ian Cummings - Publisher, Editor of XY Magazine Ted Danson Kimiko Date - First celebrity owner and did the first commercial for the car in Japan. Larry David Cameron Diaz Leonardo DiCaprio - but has also been seen regularly in Cadillac Escalade Julia Louis-Dreyfus Kirsten Dunst Will Ferrell Harrison Ford Jeff Goldblum Adrian Grenier Brian Griffin Tom Hanks Arianna Huffington Larry Hryb - Major Nelson Steve Jocz - Drummer for the band Sum 41 Jeffrey Katzenberg - CEO of DreamWorks Animation

Sarah Liao Ken Livingstone - who entrusts driving the car to his partner, as he does not hold a driving licence. Jennifer Lopez Bill Maher - owned a Prius from 2001 to 2004. Ewan McGregor Alex Moulton Edward Norton Bill Nye Donny Osmond Larry Page, co-founder of Google Steven Page of the Barenaked Ladies Gwyneth Paltrow Brad Pitt Natalie Portman Prince Charles Esther Rantzen Amy Ray Tim Robbins Richard Blaser Paul Rudd - Mentions it in the commentary of The 40-Year-Old Virgin Jim Wiatt, CEO of William Morris Agency James Woolsey - Former director of the CIA Steve Wozniak, co-founder of Apple Computer Weird Al Yankovic (Which is seen in the White & Nerdy music video) Angelina Jolie Charlize Theron Meryl Streep Robin Williams

Corporations and cities

• Transport for London operates a fleet of 10 vehicles for use by their Surface Transport employees.
• Microsoft operates a small fleet as shuttle cars in Redmond.
• The city of Hollywood, Florida uses them for parking enforcement vehicles.
• The city of Houston, Texas uses them in their Building Inspection fleet.
• Both King County, Washington and the city of Seattle, Washington (in King County) own a large fleet of hybrid, electric, and bio-diesel vehicles.
• Valley Transit Authority of Santa Clara County of California (with its contractor OUTREACH Inc.) runs its paratransit service with a fleet of 231 vehicles (proposed). As of July 2006, 22 Prius were already in service and 60 more were planned.
• DFW International Airport, in Dallas, Texas, has operated several Prius' since 2002 for Guest Assistance

Fictional appearances

• The Toyota Prius appears as the car token, replacing the Packard Dragster in the Monopoly Here and Now edition.
• The Prius is among the multitude of cars available in the video game Gran Turismo 4. Unlike the other vehicles, the Prius' game screen has fuel economy and power distribution information as well as the standard speedometer and race information.
• In Her Shoes (2005) driven by Rose Feller's (Toni Collette) boyfriend Simon Stein (Mark Feuerstein).
• Sydney Bristow from the TV show Alias is shown several times driving a silver NHW20 Prius, and in Episode 4.10 - The Index, she brings up hybrid cars in a discussion.
• Larry David and his wife drive a Prius on the show Curb Your Enthusiasm and he refers to it as "Peppy." In reality Larry David actually does drive the Prius as he is known as an environmentalist.
• Claire Fisher of the show Six Feet Under drove a Prius to NYC after crashing her Cadillac Hearse and inheriting a whole lot of money.
• In Gilmore Girls, Rory Gilmore drives a first generation Prius which she received as a high school graduation gift from her grandparents.
• Brian Griffin of the show Family Guy drives a Prius (which inexplicably appeared in the fourth season of the show). In the commentary of the show, it is revealed that the reason a Prius was used as Brian's car, was because the director of the show had just bought a Prius.
• A Prius is featured in the movie Must Love Dogs, as the car of John Cusack's character, Jake.
• The "Blog Hog" drives a Prius in Gordon Korman's Kidnapped series.
• In the prequel to season 5 of 24, Chloe O'Brian, played by Mary Lynn Rajskub is shown driving the Seaside Pearl Prius. In the first episode of season 5, we see her reaching in her pockets to remove regular keys to open her Prius. (This is probably incorrect, as all packages of the Prius except the base models include keyless entry).
• Sara Sidle in CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
• In Kicking & Screaming, Phil Weston, played by Will Farrell, drives the Seaside Pearl Prius.
• This car is featured in the South Park episode Smug Alert!, and is called the "Pious." The Pious has a spoiler and says hybrid multiple times in large print on it.
• It appeared on Two and a Half Men where Evelyn, Charlie and Alan's mom took Jake for a ride in it.
• A Prius is being shown off by the singer in the video for the "Weird Al" Yankovic song White & Nerdy. The Prius used in the video is actually owned by Yankovic.
• Nancy Botwin acquired a blue Prius on Weeds.
• Cindy Campbell in Scary Movie 3 drives a blue Prius.
• Sean McNamara buys a Prius in the beginning of the fourth season of Nip/Tuck.
• Matthew McConaughey's animal loving-friend of nature on-screen sidekick, Demo, played by Bradley Cooper, drives a Prius in Failure to Launch.
• Towards the ending of The One a black-red prius can be seen parked in a street at los angeles and dubbed the Us' cleanest city. Other hybrid car such as Honda Civic Hybrid is also present.
• In the West Wing episode #605, Josh Lyman drives a large SUV/truck into a Prius.
• Zach Braff's character, Michael, drives a black Prius throughout the movie The Last Kiss.
• Julia Louis-Dreyfus' character drives a Prius in The New Adventures of Old Christine (2006)
• Numb3rs's character Charlie Eppes drives a Prius. (e.g. shown on Feb 2, 2007's episode titled "Take Out".)

Media appearances

• Top Gear co-host Jeremy Clarkson has a long distaste for hybrid vehicles, especially the Prius. In the direct-to-video special Jeremy Clarkson: The Good The Bad The Ugly, Clarkson had a Redneck named "Billy Bob" destroy a first-generation Prius with various firearms before it caught fire.

Sales

• In January 2007 Prius sales in the U.S. were up 4% over previous year to 8,300 (outselling all Volvos), although production increased to the point where Prius vehicles were available unsold in dealer lots. Incentives and advertising were also introduced about this time.
• As of August 31, 2006, 570,383 units have been sold worldwide, with Toyota cumulative sales of over 750,000 hybrids.
• As of June, 2006, over 60,000 Prius have been sold in California.
• As of June 7, 2006, 500,000 Prius have been sold worldwide, 266,212 in US alone.
• As of February 2006, the waiting time in Palo Alto, California, USA, was over 6 months.
• U.S. sales were 53,991 in 2004 and doubled in 2005 to 107,897, about 60% of the world total of 180,000
• In January 2005, the Prius became available in South Africa.
• In June 2004, the Wall Street Journal reported that the backlog for 2004 Prius has reached 22,000 in the US.
• As of April 2004, the expected delivery time for Prius in the Netherlands is one year.
• As of March 2004, the waiting list at a Sonoma County, California dealership was over 100 people long.
• As of February 16, 2004, Toyota USA is not taking new internet orders for the 2004 Prius.
• As of December 14, 2003, the waiting time in Dallas, Texas, USA, was 6 months.
• US sales of the Prius began in August, 2000. US sales totalled 15,556 in 2001, and 20,119 in 2002.

Car rental

Many Toyota dealerships in the USA offer car rentals, allowing prospective buyers to try the Prius. EV Rental Cars, in partnership with Fox Rent-a-Car, offers the Prius for rent at the airports in Phoenix, San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, Orange County, Los Angeles, and San Diego.

It can also be rented from Hertz at the airports in San Francisco, occasionally San Jose, and downtown Austin (709 East 10th Street).

The Toyota Prius can be rented in Canada from Discount Car Rental [29] and from Via Route .

Vancouver's Co-operative Auto Network and City CarShare in the San Francisco Bay Area also have the Prius available for their members.

In New Zealand, Avis has some Toyota Prius in its fleet, available for rent in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

As of October 2006, Hertz UK and France are now offering the Prius for rental.

See also

• List of hybrid vehicles
• Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle
• Toyota Camry Hybrid
• Toyota eCom
• Comparison of Toyota hybrids
• Hybrid Synergy Drive
• Better World Club
• Hypermiler Driving - Drivers who exceed EPA est MPG
• Petroleum electric hybrid vehicle

External links

Toyota websites

• Official USA Prius web site
• Official Worldwide Prius Site
• Prius Green Report Template:PDF
• HSD web site
• Toyota Prius brochure and specifications (pdf) UK
• Toyota's paper on how the 2004 Prius is different from earlier models (in PDF, 2 MB)
• 24 page document on the THS II system (in PDF, 1.54 MB)
• Toyotal Prius Specs (US)

Miscellaneous and news

• Article on Prius models and technology from AutoSpeed.com, October 2006
• "The Birth of the Prius" from Fortune magazine, March 6, 2006
• PRIUS+ page at CalCars.org — nonprofit group is converting 2004-2005 Prius into plug-in hybrids
• Next version of Prius will be plug-in with 9 mile commute range without using any petrol or diesel Expected in 2008/2009. Spyshot Blog Info in Japanese
• Canadian Yellow Cab Taxi driver puts over 200,000 miles on a Prius.
• Consumer Reports ranks Prius as one of the most reliable cars.
• TOYOTA HYBRID SYSTEM Template:PDF
• 2009 Toyota Prius: Spy Report
• EVWorld Prius II Owner-reported mileage and journals and news

Enthusiast sites

• Information, tips, and photos about Prius at John's web site
• Prius Links.com — links to accessories, parts, forums
• Priuslovr — A Site dedicated to the Prius
• PriUPS — Using the Prius as an electric power source in emergencies
• Myspace.com — A Toyota Prius myspace page
• Australian 2006 Toyota Prius — The first blog dedicated to the Australian 2006 Toyota Prius.
• Mk1 Prius — An enthusiast forum to discuss the original Japanese 1997-2000 Prius (NHW-10).
• UK Prius Forum — A United Kingdom Prius owners and enthusiasts forum
• Prius Touring Club — A French speaking site and forum for Prius and other advanced vehicules enthusiasts.
• PriusChat Forum — Popular web forum used by worldwide car owners and people who want to research the car before purchasing.
• Wikicars Toyota Prius info and open review
• Toyota Prius Guide — A UK Prius informational site.