Toyota’s New Plug-In Prius Has Twice The Battery Range Of Previous Model

Image courtesy of Toyota

Toyota is doubling the battery range on its newest plug-in hybrid: the Prius Prime will be able to go 22 miles just on its battery, the company announced today, which is twice as far as the most recent model.

That all-electric range is enough to meet the commuter distance needs of over half of U.S. drivers, Toyota said at the New York International Auto Show, and drivers will be able to go up to 84 mph in electric-only mode.

In comparison, Reuters notes, the Ford Fusion Energi plug-in can go 19 miles in all-electric mode, and the Audi A3 e-tron can travel 16 miles just on electricity. But it’s less than other plug-in hybrids like the Chevrolet Volt, which gets up to 53 miles on its electric battery, and the Hyundai Sonata, which has a 27-mile electric range.

The new vehicle will have an estimated 120 miles or above gallon equivalent, taking into account both the battery and the engine that runs on gas. That’s a 26% boost from the previous version, Toyota said.

The car is also getting a bit of a facelift, Toyota said, and will sport a “chiseled profile and edgy character lines” as part of its makeover. The Prius Prime will go on sale this fall.

Toyota boosts battery range in new plug-in Prius [Reuters]

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