The launch of the new Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid represents one further application of Hybrid Synergy Drive® and is Toyota's core technology platform for the future. Hybrid Synergy Drive® has been specifically designed to be modular and, adaptable to diverse energy sources, may be readily used in Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV), Electric Vehicles (EV) and Fuel Cell Vehicles (FCV).
In the case of the PHEV, the full hybrid system architecture - and its long range capability - remains essentially the same, with a more powerful, externally charged battery significantly extending the all-electric driving range. When designed as an EV powertrain, it employs a simplified HSD architecture with no petrol engine, compensating through a more powerful electric motor and sufficient battery power to drive the vehicle for several hours before external recharging is required.
