Prius Success
The hybrid vehicle industry is an increasingly massive one in the automotive world of today. This would not have been the case if the early hybrid vehicles had not achieved the response and success they received. A huge share of this is thanks to what many would fittingly call the symbol of hybrid vehicles, the Toyota Prius. First introduced in 1997 on Japanese roads, the Prius has achieved cult status worldwide after years of continuously broadening its spectrum of owners and as it grew with more technological advances crucial to the nature of hybrid vehicles throughout the years, more people grew in interest.
In December 1997, the brainchild of Toyota’s team of eco-friendly engineers which began research 3 years earlier was launched in Japan. As it grew in status and prove its reliability, it did not take long for the Prius to hit American and European shores. To be precise, that happened in 2001 but considering the fact that it was a car already three years into production with certain worries regarding the battery lifespan, many were skeptical and Toyota was in need of an overhaul. That did not take long because as early as 2004, the current generation of the Toyota Prius was introduced.
The new Prius was a hit as it reached the shores of over 40 countries worldwide, especially in Japan and North America as it convinced larger crowds to switch to its hybrid concept by not just promising but providing better fuel consumption, performance, space and killed worries about the lifespan of its batteries. Its success in luring and satisfying its buyers and owners led to sales passing the one million mark as of 2008.
Due to its success in technical and marketing aspects, the Toyota Prius has been recognized with a long list of awards throughout the years. Since its launch in 1997 right up till today, it has collected numerous ‘Car of the Year’ awards from a great number of magazines originating from a large variation of countries. That feat is toppled by its success in winning awards for its technological advancements which include the ‘Best Engineered Vehicle’ title awarded by the Society of Automotive Engineers in 2004 and ‘The World’s Greenest Car’ as named by the Swiss government after a draft study which included a list of more than 6000 cars.
In the Prius, Toyota has delivered and the response has since been overwhelming. Twenty years ago, a commercially available car which runs on both gasoline and batteries would be a laughable topic but as the environment status of the world changed together with the needs of the world’s people, Toyota has made this concept a reality which can be embraced by not just lab engineers but normal people who drive cars daily. From its grassroots more than a decade ago to where it stands now in the market and inside the fast pace of technological breakthroughs in the automotive industry, the Toyota Prius has proved to be one of the greatest cars of our time.
Toyota Prius Specifications
Standard equipment includes ABS brakes, thermostat-controlled air conditioning, power windows, door locks and mirrors, an cassette stereo, an eight-year/100,000-mile battery and hybrid-related component warranty, roadside assistance and three-year basic maintenance programs.
Prius’ primary power is provided by an all-aluminum 1.5-liter gasoline engine with a peak 70 horsepower at 4,500 rpm and peak torque of 82 lb./ft. at 4,200 rpm. Variable valve timing maximizes efficiency. The gas tank has a plastic bladder which reduces gasoline vapors. The American also has a more powerful, more compact, and lighter main battery pack. The pack is 30 percent lighter in weight than the units in the first-generation Prius. The new lighter batteries reduce battery pack volume by 60 percent and allow for more cargo area in the trunk.
The electric drive motor is a permanent-magnet design that requires little maintenance as its internal componentry never wears. It produces its maximum power of 33 kW (44 horsepower) from 1,040-5,600 rpm, and maximum torque of 350 N-m (258 lb./ft.) from 0-400 rpm.
In addition to increased horsepower, the U.S. model Prius is equipped with a Toyota hydrocarbon (HC) absorber and catalyst (HCAC) system for reduced exhaust emissions.
The engine can only rev to 4,000 rpm, so that the internal parts can be smaller and lighter, and to reduce friction loss.
EPA fuel economy: 52 city, 45 highway (that is not a misprint)
SULEV certification
Gas engine: Inline 4-cylinder DOHC, Displacement: 1,497 cc, Compression Ratio: 13.0:1
Peak Horsepower: 70 hp at 4,500 rpm
Peak Torque: 82 lb.-ft. at 4,200 rpm
Fuel Tank Capacity: 11.9 Gal.
ELECTRIC MOTOR – Permanent Magnet, Capacity: 6.5 amperes
Peak Torque: 258 lb./ft. (350.0 Nm) 0-400 rpm
BATTERY PACK
Peak Horsepower: 25 kW (34 hp)
Nominal Voltage: 274 volts
EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS
Length: 169.6 in.
Width: 66.7 in.
Height: 57.6 in.
Wheelbase: 100.4 in.
Weight 2,765 lb.
Seating Capacity: 5
INTERIOR DIMENSIONS
Headroom (front/rear): 38.8 / 37.1 in.
Legroom (front/rear): 41.2 / 35.4 in.
Shoulder room (front/rear): 52.8 / 52.2 in.
Hip room (front/rear): 50.7 / 51.9 in.
Passenger volume: 88.6 cu. ft.
Cargo volume: 11.8 cu. ft.
Total interior volume: 100.4 cu. ft.
EPA class: Compact
Transmission: Electrically Controlled CVT
Braking: Front ventilated disc/Rear drum (Hydraulic, with Power Assist)
with Integrated Regenerative Brake System
Steering: Rack and Pinion
Suspension (front/rear): MacPherson strut / Torsion beam
Government Incentives on Hybrid Vehicles (Toyota Prius)
There has been government incentives that were targeted to encourage the use of hybrid cars as they are much environmentally friendly compared to conventional gasoline engines.
A General Overview:
The national government of Belgium offers subsidies and therefore reductions in the purchase price of any cars that have lower CO2 exhaust emissions. The reductions could reduce up to 15% of the total purchase price.
In Canada, the federal government offers rebate for hybrid cars such as the Toyota Prius. It is known as the ECOAUTO Rebate Program which gives rebate from $1000 to $3000 for any purchase and also long-term leasing for any fuel-efficient vehicle. These rebates vary from different provinces to another.
In the Netherlands, class A cars such as the Toyota Prius received tax reductions of 14% and the government continued to raise the tax imposed on other class cars from 22 to 25%. This quickly resulted in having more than 1800 class A cars sold. Thus, the importer indicated that he will not be able to meet the demands for the year of 2008.
Subsidies program in Sweden have also been pretty successful, where the government offers subsidies of up to US$2000 for environmentally friendly cars (in this case such as Toyota Prius).
In the United States, the federal government provides tax credit (tax returns) to purchasers until the quota (a specific figure) has been exhausted by the manufacturer. And non-monetary benefits are also provided such as certain states allow hybrid engine automobiles to be exempted from restrictions on high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes and also some designated or free parking areas for hybrid cars.
Country by Areas With Most Hybrids
United States – California. As the state with the highest number of hybrids, California allows any hybrid vehicles of at least 45 mpg ratings and Super Low Emission Vehicles (SULEV) ratings to use HOVs with no constraints as to how many passengers are onboard.
In Los Angeles, SULEV rated vehicles such as the Toyota Prius 2 (2000-2003 make) are allowed free parking but this allowance is subjected to time restrictions and areas.
Rebates are given to any low emission vehicle owners during purchase which actually comes from pollution tax charges that were paid by high emission vehicle owners (as they purchase).
Canada – Ontario. The province of Ontario offers retail sales tax rebate incentives for the purchase of any new or used hybrid vehicles. As for existing conventional vehicle owners, they also get tax rebates if they were to convert their vehicle fuel use to alternatives or if they were to convert their vehicle to be electric based. In Vancouver, loans made to purchase hybrid vehicles are given prime rates – a few percentage points lower than normal rates.
Incentives for Toyota Prius
The IRS (Internal Revenue Service) of United States had specified the requirements needed in order for the Toyota Prius owner to qualify for the hybrid tax credit under the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Owners must satisfy the standards below:
1. The Hybrid Vehicles must be new. Used vehicles do not qualify.
2. The Hybrid Vehicles must be purchased. Leased vehicles do not qualify.
3. The Hybrid Vehicles must be used predominantly in the United States.
To sum it up, a Toyota Prius owner can receive incentives ranging from $787 (minimum) to $3150 (maximum)
Other incentives are being considered for the time being, some even suggest lower insurance cost for vehicles.