Here are answers to some frequently asked questions regarding Hybrid Synergy Drive.
No. The hybrid system recharges the battery by recovering energy from the braking system and whilst driving. It is all controlled automatically without any need for input from the driver.
As with conventional vehicles, actual consumption differs depending on the nature of the journey and the driving style. It takes a little practice to get the best from the car, but whilst some have claimed they can't match the official figures, others exceed them.
Only for a short distance, in an emergency. Like a conventional car, it cannot be run without fuel.
The on-board computer makes sure the hybrid/traction battery never discharges completely. There is a conventional battery as well that is treated just like the battery in a non-hybrid.
In an accident and under maintenance there is no risk of an electric shock. The battery is securely enclosed and if any abnormality is detected the computer will cut off the high voltage and prevent any escaping. There is also a service plug which can be used for manual disconnection.
No. Our hybrids have World Health Organisation certificates of compliance for non ionizing radiation both inside and outside the vehicle
- VRT Rebate of €1500 on Hybrid Vehicles
- Lower Road Tax
- And of course high residuals are a strong financial incentive anyway.
They are built to last as long as conventional vehicles.
The battery is designed to last the life of the vehicle. Some US owners have already passed 250,000 miles.
No. The battery will maintain sufficient energy storage for its lifetime. Even frequent use of electric-only mode will have no adverse effect.
We built our first hybrids almost half a century ago, and launched the first Prius to the public more than ten years ago. We had sold over 3 million hybrids by 2010. They have proved just as reliable as conventional vehicles.
In Ireland Prius comes with an five year/100,000 km warranty on all hybrid system components.
Over its entire life cycle from production to disposal, the Toyota hybrids have a lower impact on the environment than conventional vehicles.
The majority of emissions do come from fuel used in driving, so emitting 43% less CO2 than equivalent petrol engined cars and 47% less NOx than diesels quickly compensates for the limited amount of extra energy used in manufacture.
A free recycling system is in place for all the batteries we produce. They are processed at purpose built plants, the nickel-iron for example being recycled into stainless steel. The Prius, for example, is now 95% recyclable.
HSD significantly reduces NOx and CO2 emissions and offers improved fuel economy. No current diesel can offer these three advantages to the same extent.
No. The current automatic transmission, a unique version of E-CVT, is an essential component of the HSD.
When the technology matures they will be introduced alongside the current NiMh batteries. The choice will be made according to the individual powertrain characteristics.
We are currently looking at that and it will be introduced based on the needs of the marketplace. Our HSD technology can be combined with any power source.
