Toyota's Future Prius Hybrids Could Be Plug-in Only

by Steph Willems

Published: September 28th, 2016

toyota s future prius hybrids could be plug in only

Toyota invested plenty of time, money and effort into making its plug-in Prius Prime stand out from its lesser hybrids, and the result may have convinced the company to change its future plans.

According to Autoblog, the automaker now has doubts about keeping the regular Prius as a standalone, hybrid-only model beneath the plug-in version. With conventional hybrid sales faltering, and the Prius Prime looming over the model line, attempting to improve the technology could be pointless.

The Prius was at the forefront of gas-electric automotive technology when it bowed in the late 1990s, but technology — and market direction — is shifting. The Prius Prime offers 22 miles of all-electric range, while the current generation Prius offers a combined 56 miles per gallon. Boosting the model’s fuel economy using conventional hybrid technology would be a challenge.

“Ultimately, PHEV may be the way to go,” said Shoichi Kaneko, assistant chief engineer for the Prius Prime.

Earlier this year, Toyota made a big deal when its worldwide hybrid sales passed the nine million mark. The company still has great plans for hybrid technology, and hopes to sell 15 million hybrid vehicles by 2020. But, as low oil prices persist and sales of all hybrids suffer, the urge to pick a single, simplified path forward grows.

Compounding this is the regular model’s sales slide. Despite an extensive restyle for 2016, buyers haven’t taken a renewed interest in the Prius. The model’s best U.S. sales year was 2012.

As for the 2017 Prius Prime, its popularity can’t be judged yet, as its release date has been pushed back from this fall to early winter. Production will reportedly be cut back in anticipation of reduced demand. Whether or not the new model is a hit, there’s already plenty of reasons for Toyota to opt for a plug-in Prius range, if indeed it continues as a range.

The Prime contains a greater amount of standard equipment than its hybrid brethren, meaning a future Prius could still slot below it as a bare-bones plug-in model.

#2017PriusPrime #Hybrids #Plug-inHybrids #ProductPlanning #Toyota #ToyotaPrius #ToyotaPriusPrime

Steph Willems

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Shaker on Sep 29, 2016

Which bridge is in that photo? I like the message in the photo - think about the pure EV owner coming upon this bridge - I'd be they'd glance at their range meter... Now, the upcoming Bolt could actually use the same bridge as a selling point: "Nervous? No need with the Bolt's 238 Mile* range!" *EPA est.

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05lgt on Sep 29, 2016

The sales slide may have more to do with those damn ugly tail lights. I have family members considering a Prius, but ... although they are "secure" financially, they'd only buy used because of the UGLY on the new one.

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