How Does a Prime Plug-In Hybrid Work? | Electrified Powertrains Part 2 | Toyota
– [Presenter] The Toyota Prius pioneered electrified mobility when it was first introduced. And today, Toyota offers an electrified vehicle to fit every consumer, including plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, or Prime vehicles. As part of Toyota’s Beyond Zero vision for a carbon-neutral future and more, the Prime plug-in hybrid EV
Helps make electrification accessible to all. By choosing one of Toyota’s many low and zero emissions vehicles, everyone can help drive even more electrified miles and help reduce carbon emissions. That’s driving change towards a brighter tomorrow, and that’s our Beyond Zero vision. In the previous video,
We explored how the Toyota Hybrid EV System, or THS, works. Now let’s find out how the Prime plug-in hybrid EV powertrain functions and how it’s different from a hybrid EV and a battery-electric vehicle. Toyota’s Prime vehicles are plug-in hybrid EVs that build upon the legendary THS architecture. They feature a similar layout, with a gas engine up front coupled to two electric motors. Additionally, vehicles with Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive add a third electric motor on the rear axle. Prime plug-in hybrid EVs enhance the capabilities
Of the venerable Toyota Hybrid EV System, resulting in improved performance. Like the standard Toyota Hybrid System, Motor/Generator 1 works as a starter for the engine and recharges the battery when the engine is running. Motor/Generator 2, on the other hand, recharges the battery when the vehicle is coasting or during braking.
It powers the wheels on its own or alongside the gasoline engine in normal driving conditions. In Prime plug-in hybrid EVs, Motor/Generator 2 is also used for high-speed driving in all-electric mode. Finally, if equipped, Prime plug-in hybrid EVs use motor-generator rear when driving in all-electric mode, resulting in additional traction and power
During zero emissions operation. Another major distinguishing factor in Prime plug-in hybrid EVs is the battery, specifically its capacity. Vehicles powered by the Toyota Hybrid EV System already use a high-voltage battery pack to power their electric drive system, but Prime plug-in hybrid EVs have an even higher capacity battery unit that allows for their extended EV mode driving.
In fact, when charged up, Prime plug-in hybrid EVs can drive for miles, up to highway speeds, on electric power alone. Perfect for a zero emissions daily commute. However, if the battery charge level gets low from either extended-range driving or if the vehicle hasn’t been plugged in, the Prime plug-in hybrid EV powertrain
Continues to operate normally. The vehicle just automatically reverts to Hybrid mode instead, with the gas engine coming online to support the electric drive system. This flexibility is the whole beauty of Toyota’s Prime plug-in hybrid EVs. They can offer the advanced convenience of all-electric driving for shorter trips and everyday commutes
Or simply operate as fuel-efficient hybrids when that EV mode isn’t available. Additionally, Prime plug-in hybrid EVs aren’t only about efficiency. With the added battery capacity and the electric motors working together with the gasoline engine, these are some of the quickest accelerating vehicles in the Toyota lineup. Like the Toyota Hybrid EV System, Prime plug-in hybrid EVs use a high-voltage battery designed with longevity, durability, and reliability in mind. And like a battery EV, they also include an onboard charger and a charging cable. This allows owners to simply plug the vehicle into a standard wall outlet to recharge
Or a Level 2 240-volt charger for quicker charge times. The onboard charger converts the incoming AC electrical current to DC current, which is what the battery uses to store power and power the electric motors. This ability to plug in enables Prime plug-in hybrid EVs to charge the battery
Beyond what a standard hybrid EV system would do through self-charging. That said, Prime plug-in hybrid EVs will still self-charge the battery when needed, just at the level needed to maintain hybrid operation instead of all-electric. That means the gas engine recharges the battery when needed and the vehicle goes into all-electric operation
During low-speed driving, traveling downhill, or coasting, just like how the Toyota Hybrid EV System operates. So, while there are certainly benefits to plugging a Prime plug-in hybrid EV in, it isn’t required, providing peace of mind if a charger is not available.
It really combines the best of a battery EV and a hybrid EV, all in one cleverly engineered vehicle. So that’s a quick look at the plug-in hybrid EV system inside Toyota’s Prime vehicles and how they build on the legendary Toyota Hybrid EV System by adding an extra layer of capability, performance, and versatility.
Be sure to check out the other videos in this series to learn more about Toyota’s electrified powertrains. To explore the full electrified lineup from Toyota, visit toyota.com/electrified.
The Toyota Prius pioneered electrified mobility when it was first introduced, and today Toyota offers an electrified vehicle to fit any consumer, including plug-in hybrids or prime vehicles. Let’s find out how the prime powertrain functions. Learn how the Toyota Hybrid System works here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1KNKhGo4c0&list=PLsOvRYzJPCwUdv6z_XRooikzA8br4xBKG&index=1
Learn about Toyota’s electrified vehicles: https://www.toyota.com/electrified-vehicles/
Current Toyota Prime Vehicles: Toyota Prius Prime, Toyota RAV4 Prime
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Let’s learn about Prime Plug-In Hybrids in this new series, Electrified Powertrains.
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