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:
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:
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.