Now that I am getting emails from Toyota for finding a dealer for getting the new PHV Plug-in by Spring 2012. I am getting confused and have two questions. 1. Is this about getting a 2012 Prius with PHV Plug-in ? OR 2. A separate (stands alone) "PHV Plug-in KIT " for my 2010 GEN III Prius ? which will of course to be installed by Toyota dealers? Can someone clarify?
It's a new vehicle... option 1. There are kits to do option 2... just not from Toyota... Link to add on company - http://www.enginer.us/
It's a new member of the Prius family. There will be the regular hybrid Prius, the Plug in Prius, the Prius v, and next year we hope the Prius c. It's not a kit or something the dealer does to your existing Prius. It's basically a 'regular' Prius with a lithium ion battery pack which will allow it to travel aprox. 13 miles electric, then it will switch over and run like a regular Prius. Recharge time will be about 3 hours on 110v and 1.5 hours on 220v with a level II charger.
There are aftermarket kits for Gen III Prii, but you loose your spare tire storage. Here's one link: http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-p...nversion-plug-in-hybrid-electric-vehicle.html Searching on the Gen III forums will yield more info & videos.
I think Enginer is still the only system to work as PHEV in a 2010. I have had mine working for over a year and a half. I am happy with it, but be forewarned this is not a plug and play system. If you have good technical expertise or a good installer close to you then you will be happy, but If you want to "just use it" and not have problems then you need to wait got the 2012 Toyota system. Thanks, Dan
