The idea of a plug-in Prius isn't new to Toyota--it's toyed with several prototypes in the past-- but the Japanese automaker is bringing another example to the 2009 Frankfurt motor show, this time based upon the all-new 2010 Prius.
The plug-in version of the Prius makes several improvements upon the normal Prius. For starters, it eschews the hefty (and dated) nickel-metal-hydride batteries for lighter, more powerful lithium-ion batteries.
The Prius Plug-in Hybrid can now travel up to 12 miles on electric power alone, even at highway speeds. For longer freeway journeys, the plug-in Prius will revert to “hybrid mode” and operate like a conventional Prius.
Global delivery of the 2010 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid will begin in late 2009 with an initial batch of 500 vehicles. 150 of those vehicles are targeted for use in U.S. lease-fleet customers for market and engineering analysis. Toyota will gather real world driving feedback through this program and hopes to learn customer expectations for plug-in hybrid vehicles.