Toyota has just lifted the veil on the autonomy in 100% electric mode of its new plug-in hybrid Prius. And the least we can say is that it is colossal for this type of car, with more than 100 km on the clock! We explain to you why this is good news, but a pity at the same time.
Toyota unveiled its new Prius to the world last November. In France, the latter has abandoned its hybrid status to become a rechargeable hybrid. Or rather, a 100% plug-in hybrid as announced by Toyota France in its communications. In Japan, Toyota has just launched the marketing of the Prius PHEV by detailing its final technical characteristics in a press release.
105 km range in 100% electric
If we already had a lot of information about the new Toyota Prius, the most interesting element of this semi-electric car was missing: its autonomy in 100% electric mode. Well ! It’s a good surprise. Toyota thus announces 105 km range with the version fitted with 17-inch rims. A figure up 75% compared to the previous generation of Prius. With 19 inch wheels, this figure drops to 87 km. All these data were measured on the WLTP homologation cycle.
To achieve this autonomy, the new Toyota Prius incorporates a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 13.6 gross kWh (12.6 useful kWh). Which therefore gives a theoretical consumption of 12 kWh / 100 km, without taking into account energy losses during recharging. This is excellent, since for comparison, the Tesla Model 3 Propulsion announces a consumption of 14.9 kWh / 100 km taking into account losses during recharging. Or about 12 kWh / 100 km without the losses, to be able to compare with the Toyota Prius.
To continue the comparison with plug-in hybrid cars, we can cite the Mercedes C300e with its 111 km of autonomy 100% electric or the Range Rover P510e with 113 km range. This is a record, but it is done with a 25.4 kWh battery at Mercedes and 38.2 kWh at Range Rover. Either delusional theoretical consumption respectively of 22 and 34 kWh / 100 km!
When will there be a 100% electric Toyota Prius?
This excellent news from Toyota is unfortunately tainted by the overall strategy of the Japanese manufacturer, which is struggling with the electric car. Imagine a 100% electric Toyota Prius with the same efficiency: she would clearly come hunting in the lands of the Tesla Model 3. Instead, Toyota is marketing the bZ4X electric SUV, which is not unanimous, as well as the bZ3 sedan which is starting its marketing in China with technologies from Tesla’s main competitor, the Chinese company BYD.
But, it seems that the recent change at the head of Toyota is starting to benefit the 100% electric car. A few days ago, a company executive announced that his teams had taken apart a Tesla Model Y and called it ” of work of art“. We can’t wait for the Japanese manufacturer to present us with its 100% electric work of art, on a par with its excellent Toyota Prius, equipped with its revolutionary steering wheel.
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