Toyota Hybrid
To help dispel the myths of Hybrids, let’s get to know more about Hybrid Technology. Toyota hybrids are designed to help you get the "more" out of your drive with fewer emissions.
Conventional vehicles have only one power source, an engine (either gasoline or diesel). The power source for Hybrid vehicles is a combination of an engine and an electric motor. By combining the advantages of the two power sources, hybrid vehicles are both fuel efficient and powerful.
No, no, no. No plug in required either. The hybrid system automatically recharges the battery by recovering energy that is usually lost when a vehicle is slowing down, and by generating electricity while driving. The driver does not need to worry about recharging the battery.
Since the first Prius was launched in 1997, Toyota has been optimizing hybrid Technology for over 20 years. Our hybrid system boasts improved environmental performance and drastically raises the "fun to drive" quotient for hybrid vehicles.
We’ve been perfecting our Hybrid know-how for over 20 years. Our fourth generation hybrid system radically enhances the synergy between an electric motor and an engine by employing a high-voltage power-control system for greater motor output. Today’s fourth generation models are so reliable.
The combination of the electric motor & petrol engine makes the following possible:
- The electric motor starts turning straight away for smoother and more responsive acceleration when starting off
- The electric motor delivers its maximum torque instantly which is advantageous for starting-off and acceleration
- The gasoline engine is most powerful at high rpm which is advantageous for high-speed driving
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will the vehicle run on an empty tank?
No. Like conventional vehicles, hybrid vehicles cannot run without fuel. However, in an emergency, Toyota hybrids can be driven a short distance in EV (electric-only) mode.
2. What happens if the battery goes flat?
Hybrid battery: The onboard computer makes sure this battery never discharges completely. Normal battery: Should be treated in the same way as the battery in a conventional vehicle.
3. Is actual fuel economy really as good as official figures?
As with conventional vehicles, actual fuel economy differs depending on both driving style and road conditions.
Below are some factors that can negatively affect fuel economy:
- Hard acceleration
- Sudden braking
- Driving over hilly or mountainous terrain
- Driving at high speeds for prolonged periods
- Taking lots of short trips
- Excessive use of air conditioning
- Carrying heavy loads
- Poor or Irregular maintenance
- Low tire pressure
4. Is there a risk of electric shock?
No. there is no risk of electric shock, even if the vehicle is involved in an accident. Also, repairing a hybrid vehicle is as safe as repairing a conventional vehicle.
The battery packs are securely enclosed
In event of a collision, or if an abnormality is detected, the onboard computer will cut off the high voltage flow and prevent any electricity from escaping.
The high voltage flow can also be manually cut off by pulling out the service plug.
5. Is there a risk of radiation from the batteries?
No. There is no risk of radiation. Toyota hybrid vehicles are certified to comply with World Health Organization (WHO) standards for non-ionizing radiation, both inside the vehicle and out.
6. How long do hybrid vehicles last?
Hybrid vehicles are built to last as long as conventional vehicles.
7. How long does the hybrid battery last?
The battery is designed to last the life of the vehicle. There are owners in the U.S. who have driven 250,000 miles without replacing the battery.
8. Will the hybrid battery lose its strength the more it is used, leading to lower fuel economy?
No. the battery will not lose its strength. The battery will maintain sufficient energy storage capacity throughout its life. Frequent use of EV (electric-only) mode, for example, will have no ad verse effect on battery life.
9. How do we know hybrid technology is reliable when it’s so new?
Hybrid vehicles are just as reliable as conventional vehicles. It is in fact over 20 years since the Prius, Toyota’s first mass-produced hybrid vehicle, first went on sale in Japan. Customers can take confidence in the fact that Toyota has sold over 15 million hybrid vehicles to date worldwide.
10. What about the warranty?
Hybrid vehicles come with the standard manufacturer’s warranty of 3-years/100,000km whichever comes first. In addition, the hybrid battery comes with a 6-year warranty.
