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The Ultimate Guide to Charging a Toyota Prius Plug-In

Published on
April 18, 2023

Key Points

  • Toyota Prius Plug-In combines a petrol engine and electric motor.
  • Charging your Toyota Prius can be done conveniently at home, at work, topped off while shopping at supermarkets or parked at public parking lots (usually for free!).
  • To power the car’s two motors, you must charge the battery for two hours, but you can travel up to 34 miles without gasoline.
  • Charging tariffs include a flat connection fee and a separate fee per charging hour or per kWh.
  • Many public EV charging networks are free, but rapid charging requires payment.

Why Choose a Toyota Prius Plug-in?

With various features that make it simple for drivers to reduce fuel costs, the Toyota Prius Plug-In is one of the market’s most effective plug-in electric vehicles (PHEVs). It combines a petrol engine and electric motor with a supersized battery made from the regular Prius for more extended and all-electric driving.

Because of its larger battery, you must charge it for two hours to give its two motors the power they require, but you can travel up to 34 miles on zero gasoline.

A plug-in hybrid has significantly lower CO2 numbers than a regular hybrid. This feature is essential for company car users because the benefit-in-kind (BIK) car tax rate depends on the vehicle’s emissions and its range on electricity alone.

The Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In, Volkswagen Golf GTE, SEAT Leon e-Hybrid, and upscale Mercedes A 250 e are just a few of the vehicles the Toyota Prius competes against for features.

With cutting-edge technology installed, the Prius Plug-In has an appropriate price tag of almost £32,000. The Prius Plug-In seeks to convince sceptics with fuel efficiency ratings of up to 217 mpg and emissions of 29 g/km CO2. While its official consumption will be difficult to match, the Prius is one of the most cost-effective plug-in vehicles yielding between 60 and 70 mpg even when the battery pack isn’t charged.

It’s also pretty enjoyable to drive, seamlessly switching between its electric and petrol motors when necessary, even with an extra burst of speed. Although it has more body lean on quicker routes than the standard Prius, Audi, or Volkswagen, it handles well in towns, where the Prius has traditionally performed well.

How Do Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles Work?

x-ray of an electric car parked outside while charging

‍

Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) have a gas engine and an electric motor, allowing them to run on gas only when necessary or plug in to charge their batteries.

PHEV batteries can be charged using a wall outlet or charging equipment, by the internal combustion engine (ICE), or through regenerative braking. The vehicle typically runs on electric power until the battery is nearly empty, at which point it automatically switches to gas.

If the majority of the time, you want to drive electric to reduce your emissions and save on fuel costs, it’s highly feasible. However, a plug-in hybrid can be a more suitable option if you’re uncertain whether to try electric because you don’t have access to charging at home or work and wish to make long trips without charging.

How to Charge a Plug-In Hybrid Toyota Prius?

red Toyota Prius parked at a public charging station 

When charging a PHEV, you must first insert the connections into the proper inlet. Toyota Prius Plug-In’s Type 2 inlet is located on the off-side of the rear 3/4 panel, where a petrol flap would typically be located.

The Toyota Prius Plug-In uses the Type 2 charging standard, commonly used at home or in public slow and fast AC points. 

As with most PHEVs, the Prius Plug-In does not have rapid charging capabilities. It can charge fast and slow from public points depending on the network and the type of charge unit. Generally, fast charging requires a Type 2-to-Type 2 cable, while slow charging requires a 3-pin-to-Type 2 cable, both of which come with the vehicle.

After plugging in, the car communicates with the charging unit to verify that there is power available, there are no faults, and it is safe to begin charging.

Charging time for a Toyota Prius

Rarely does anyone need to charge their car from empty to full. Usually, you will simply “top up” your car’s battery for two to three hours overnight. By topping off your PHEV, you can maximise your range and reduce the length of time spent charging. 

The table below provides an approximate time of how long it takes to charge a Toyota Prius Plug-In. Times are based on a full charge.

‍

‍

Where Can You Charge a Plug-In Toyota Prius?

woman charging a white electric car at home

If at home or at a work charging point, you can automatically charge your PHEV. While in public stations, an activation process is necessary to start charging.

Some network providers may require an RFID card or smartphone app linked to an existing account to use their services.

Applications like Bonnet, which partners with an extensive network of charging point partners around the UK and in Europe, can be used when you’re in a bind and need to find a charging station along your trip.

Unlike many electric car charging stations that require payment or membership for you to work on-premises, Bonnet makes life easier for all electric vehicle owners without setting up an account. You can just download the EV charging app and use it to find the closest charger.

The Bonnet EV charging app offers low prices and makes the EV charging experience super simple and convenient wherever your journey takes you. 

Charging at Home or Shared Parking

Much like charging your laptop or cell phone, charging a plug-in hybrid at home is a simple process. 

Simply plug the charging cable with the car into a standard wall outlet. This method will add roughly 4 miles of range per hour to your Prius battery and take about five and a half hours to complete.

Upgrading to a Level 2 home charger can fully charge your Prius in under 2 hours, which is faster if you want to make several all-electric daily trips.

A hybrid is viable if you can’t charge at home because you’ll have a gas tank whenever you need it.

On the other hand, using an interactive map, the Bonnet EV charging app can help you find the nearest available electric car charging point.

Charging at Work

Workplace charging is a convenient way to top up your PHEV while at work. From a business perspective, a workplace charging point will become an increasingly vital provision for employees and visitors.

Under the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS), the Government offers financial assistance to businesses, charities, and public sector organisations that meet applicant and site eligibility criteria to install charging points at their premises.

Charging on Public Networks

There are many public EV charging networks in the UK, some exclusive in certain areas while others provide nationwide coverage. Popular networks include Charge Your Car, Pod Point, Ecotricity, and BP Chargemaster (Polar).

While many EV charging stations are free to use, most fast and rapid chargers cost money.

Depending on the network, some accept payments with RFID cards, and others require users to download a smartphone app.

Cost to Charge a Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid

A standard charging tariff includes a flat connection fee, a cost per charging hour (1p/h), or a cost per kWh consumed (1p/kWh). The cost of charging your PHEV varies between home, work and public networks.

The table below shows an estimate.

‍

* Assumes a 28p/kWh tariff rate. Home charging costs will depend on your electricity rate.

** Assumes most network rapid chargers will have a 44p/kWh tariff rate by April 2022.

Because the cost of charging differs significantly between EV charging stations and networks, Bonnet’s Boosts Membership options guarantee savings of 10%-15% from standard market rates for charging.

Takeaway

The ability to drive electric most of the time and access gasoline when needed has encouraged many people to drive electric.

But to take advantage of the car’s all-electric range and maximise the overall efficiency and operating costs, you must recharge after most, if not all, travels. 

Hence, a Prius Plug-in might not be the best option for you if plugging in where you live isn’t convenient or an option.

However, you might choose a Prius Plug-in Hybrid if charging is accessible and you want a spacious, comfortable, easy-to-drive, well-equipped, and exceptionally efficient car.

FAQs

What happens if you don’t charge a plug-in hybrid?

It is possible to drive the PHEV in the regular hybrid mode without charging. Although plug-in hybrids can run on gasoline or electricity, they’re best driven with fully charged batteries.

How often should you charge a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle?

It depends on how much you drive it. You’ll probably need to recharge every day if you commute frequently. It’s ideal to do this overnight since you’ll have the time to recharge and only use electricity during off-peak hours.

Do plug-in hybrid charge while driving?

Since a PHEV has a larger battery pack, its engine will charge the batteries slightly when needed, but not fully. It would be best if you plugged in your PHEV to achieve its full zero-emission benefits.

How fast can a Prius go on electric only?

84mph. The Prius Plug-in has a range of 34 miles and a maximum speed of 84 mph, but not both simultaneously because the faster you go, the faster the battery drains.

Can you drive a Prius on electric only?

No. It would be best if you never drove Prius Prime without gasoline in the tank. In some cases, you may drive in electric mode alone, but the vehicle always requires gasoline to operate properly.

November 17, 2022

Why Choose a Toyota Prius Plug-in?

With various features that make it simple for drivers to reduce fuel costs, the Toyota Prius Plug-In is one of the market’s most effective plug-in electric vehicles (PHEVs). It combines a petrol engine and electric motor with a supersized battery made from the regular Prius for more extended and all-electric driving.

Because of its larger battery, you must charge it for two hours to give its two motors the power they require, but you can travel up to 34 miles on zero gasoline.

A plug-in hybrid has significantly lower CO2 numbers than a regular hybrid. This feature is essential for company car users because the benefit-in-kind (BIK) car tax rate depends on the vehicle’s emissions and its range on electricity alone.

The Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In, Volkswagen Golf GTE, SEAT Leon e-Hybrid, and upscale Mercedes A 250 e are just a few of the vehicles the Toyota Prius competes against for features.

With cutting-edge technology installed, the Prius Plug-In has an appropriate price tag of almost £32,000. The Prius Plug-In seeks to convince sceptics with fuel efficiency ratings of up to 217 mpg and emissions of 29 g/km CO2. While its official consumption will be difficult to match, the Prius is one of the most cost-effective plug-in vehicles yielding between 60 and 70 mpg even when the battery pack isn’t charged.

It’s also pretty enjoyable to drive, seamlessly switching between its electric and petrol motors when necessary, even with an extra burst of speed. Although it has more body lean on quicker routes than the standard Prius, Audi, or Volkswagen, it handles well in towns, where the Prius has traditionally performed well.

How Do Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles Work?

x-ray of an electric car parked outside while charging

‍

Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) have a gas engine and an electric motor, allowing them to run on gas only when necessary or plug in to charge their batteries.

PHEV batteries can be charged using a wall outlet or charging equipment, by the internal combustion engine (ICE), or through regenerative braking. The vehicle typically runs on electric power until the battery is nearly empty, at which point it automatically switches to gas.

If the majority of the time, you want to drive electric to reduce your emissions and save on fuel costs, it’s highly feasible. However, a plug-in hybrid can be a more suitable option if you’re uncertain whether to try electric because you don’t have access to charging at home or work and wish to make long trips without charging.

How to Charge a Plug-In Hybrid Toyota Prius?

red Toyota Prius parked at a public charging station 

When charging a PHEV, you must first insert the connections into the proper inlet. Toyota Prius Plug-In’s Type 2 inlet is located on the off-side of the rear 3/4 panel, where a petrol flap would typically be located.

The Toyota Prius Plug-In uses the Type 2 charging standard, commonly used at home or in public slow and fast AC points. 

As with most PHEVs, the Prius Plug-In does not have rapid charging capabilities. It can charge fast and slow from public points depending on the network and the type of charge unit. Generally, fast charging requires a Type 2-to-Type 2 cable, while slow charging requires a 3-pin-to-Type 2 cable, both of which come with the vehicle.

After plugging in, the car communicates with the charging unit to verify that there is power available, there are no faults, and it is safe to begin charging.

Charging time for a Toyota Prius

Rarely does anyone need to charge their car from empty to full. Usually, you will simply “top up” your car’s battery for two to three hours overnight. By topping off your PHEV, you can maximise your range and reduce the length of time spent charging. 

The table below provides an approximate time of how long it takes to charge a Toyota Prius Plug-In. Times are based on a full charge.

‍

‍

Where Can You Charge a Plug-In Toyota Prius?

woman charging a white electric car at home

If at home or at a work charging point, you can automatically charge your PHEV. While in public stations, an activation process is necessary to start charging.

Some network providers may require an RFID card or smartphone app linked to an existing account to use their services.

Applications like Bonnet, which partners with an extensive network of charging point partners around the UK and in Europe, can be used when you’re in a bind and need to find a charging station along your trip.

Unlike many electric car charging stations that require payment or membership for you to work on-premises, Bonnet makes life easier for all electric vehicle owners without setting up an account. You can just download the EV charging app and use it to find the closest charger.

The Bonnet EV charging app offers low prices and makes the EV charging experience super simple and convenient wherever your journey takes you. 

Charging at Home or Shared Parking

Much like charging your laptop or cell phone, charging a plug-in hybrid at home is a simple process. 

Simply plug the charging cable with the car into a standard wall outlet. This method will add roughly 4 miles of range per hour to your Prius battery and take about five and a half hours to complete.

Upgrading to a Level 2 home charger can fully charge your Prius in under 2 hours, which is faster if you want to make several all-electric daily trips.

A hybrid is viable if you can’t charge at home because you’ll have a gas tank whenever you need it.

On the other hand, using an interactive map, the Bonnet EV charging app can help you find the nearest available electric car charging point.

Charging at Work

Workplace charging is a convenient way to top up your PHEV while at work. From a business perspective, a workplace charging point will become an increasingly vital provision for employees and visitors.

Under the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS), the Government offers financial assistance to businesses, charities, and public sector organisations that meet applicant and site eligibility criteria to install charging points at their premises.

Charging on Public Networks

There are many public EV charging networks in the UK, some exclusive in certain areas while others provide nationwide coverage. Popular networks include Charge Your Car, Pod Point, Ecotricity, and BP Chargemaster (Polar).

While many EV charging stations are free to use, most fast and rapid chargers cost money.

Depending on the network, some accept payments with RFID cards, and others require users to download a smartphone app.

Cost to Charge a Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid

A standard charging tariff includes a flat connection fee, a cost per charging hour (1p/h), or a cost per kWh consumed (1p/kWh). The cost of charging your PHEV varies between home, work and public networks.

The table below shows an estimate.

‍

* Assumes a 28p/kWh tariff rate. Home charging costs will depend on your electricity rate.

** Assumes most network rapid chargers will have a 44p/kWh tariff rate by April 2022.

Because the cost of charging differs significantly between EV charging stations and networks, Bonnet’s Boosts Membership options guarantee savings of 10%-15% from standard market rates for charging.

Takeaway

The ability to drive electric most of the time and access gasoline when needed has encouraged many people to drive electric.

But to take advantage of the car’s all-electric range and maximise the overall efficiency and operating costs, you must recharge after most, if not all, travels. 

Hence, a Prius Plug-in might not be the best option for you if plugging in where you live isn’t convenient or an option.

However, you might choose a Prius Plug-in Hybrid if charging is accessible and you want a spacious, comfortable, easy-to-drive, well-equipped, and exceptionally efficient car.

Key Points

  • Toyota Prius Plug-In combines a petrol engine and electric motor.
  • Charging your Toyota Prius can be done conveniently at home, at work, topped off while shopping at supermarkets or parked at public parking lots (usually for free!).
  • To power the car’s two motors, you must charge the battery for two hours, but you can travel up to 34 miles without gasoline.
  • Charging tariffs include a flat connection fee and a separate fee per charging hour or per kWh.
  • Many public EV charging networks are free, but rapid charging requires payment.

Why Choose a Toyota Prius Plug-in?

With various features that make it simple for drivers to reduce fuel costs, the Toyota Prius Plug-In is one of the market’s most effective plug-in electric vehicles (PHEVs). It combines a petrol engine and electric motor with a supersized battery made from the regular Prius for more extended and all-electric driving.

Because of its larger battery, you must charge it for two hours to give its two motors the power they require, but you can travel up to 34 miles on zero gasoline.

A plug-in hybrid has significantly lower CO2 numbers than a regular hybrid. This feature is essential for company car users because the benefit-in-kind (BIK) car tax rate depends on the vehicle’s emissions and its range on electricity alone.

The Hyundai Ioniq Plug-In, Volkswagen Golf GTE, SEAT Leon e-Hybrid, and upscale Mercedes A 250 e are just a few of the vehicles the Toyota Prius competes against for features.

With cutting-edge technology installed, the Prius Plug-In has an appropriate price tag of almost £32,000. The Prius Plug-In seeks to convince sceptics with fuel efficiency ratings of up to 217 mpg and emissions of 29 g/km CO2. While its official consumption will be difficult to match, the Prius is one of the most cost-effective plug-in vehicles yielding between 60 and 70 mpg even when the battery pack isn’t charged.

It’s also pretty enjoyable to drive, seamlessly switching between its electric and petrol motors when necessary, even with an extra burst of speed. Although it has more body lean on quicker routes than the standard Prius, Audi, or Volkswagen, it handles well in towns, where the Prius has traditionally performed well.

How Do Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles Work?

x-ray of an electric car parked outside while charging

‍

Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) have a gas engine and an electric motor, allowing them to run on gas only when necessary or plug in to charge their batteries.

PHEV batteries can be charged using a wall outlet or charging equipment, by the internal combustion engine (ICE), or through regenerative braking. The vehicle typically runs on electric power until the battery is nearly empty, at which point it automatically switches to gas.

If the majority of the time, you want to drive electric to reduce your emissions and save on fuel costs, it’s highly feasible. However, a plug-in hybrid can be a more suitable option if you’re uncertain whether to try electric because you don’t have access to charging at home or work and wish to make long trips without charging.

How to Charge a Plug-In Hybrid Toyota Prius?

red Toyota Prius parked at a public charging station 

When charging a PHEV, you must first insert the connections into the proper inlet. Toyota Prius Plug-In’s Type 2 inlet is located on the off-side of the rear 3/4 panel, where a petrol flap would typically be located.

The Toyota Prius Plug-In uses the Type 2 charging standard, commonly used at home or in public slow and fast AC points. 

As with most PHEVs, the Prius Plug-In does not have rapid charging capabilities. It can charge fast and slow from public points depending on the network and the type of charge unit. Generally, fast charging requires a Type 2-to-Type 2 cable, while slow charging requires a 3-pin-to-Type 2 cable, both of which come with the vehicle.

After plugging in, the car communicates with the charging unit to verify that there is power available, there are no faults, and it is safe to begin charging.

Charging time for a Toyota Prius

Rarely does anyone need to charge their car from empty to full. Usually, you will simply “top up” your car’s battery for two to three hours overnight. By topping off your PHEV, you can maximise your range and reduce the length of time spent charging. 

The table below provides an approximate time of how long it takes to charge a Toyota Prius Plug-In. Times are based on a full charge.

‍

‍

Where Can You Charge a Plug-In Toyota Prius?

woman charging a white electric car at home

If at home or at a work charging point, you can automatically charge your PHEV. While in public stations, an activation process is necessary to start charging.

Some network providers may require an RFID card or smartphone app linked to an existing account to use their services.

Applications like Bonnet, which partners with an extensive network of charging point partners around the UK and in Europe, can be used when you’re in a bind and need to find a charging station along your trip.

Unlike many electric car charging stations that require payment or membership for you to work on-premises, Bonnet makes life easier for all electric vehicle owners without setting up an account. You can just download the EV charging app and use it to find the closest charger.

The Bonnet EV charging app offers low prices and makes the EV charging experience super simple and convenient wherever your journey takes you. 

Charging at Home or Shared Parking

Much like charging your laptop or cell phone, charging a plug-in hybrid at home is a simple process. 

Simply plug the charging cable with the car into a standard wall outlet. This method will add roughly 4 miles of range per hour to your Prius battery and take about five and a half hours to complete.

Upgrading to a Level 2 home charger can fully charge your Prius in under 2 hours, which is faster if you want to make several all-electric daily trips.

A hybrid is viable if you can’t charge at home because you’ll have a gas tank whenever you need it.

On the other hand, using an interactive map, the Bonnet EV charging app can help you find the nearest available electric car charging point.

Charging at Work

Workplace charging is a convenient way to top up your PHEV while at work. From a business perspective, a workplace charging point will become an increasingly vital provision for employees and visitors.

Under the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS), the Government offers financial assistance to businesses, charities, and public sector organisations that meet applicant and site eligibility criteria to install charging points at their premises.

Charging on Public Networks

There are many public EV charging networks in the UK, some exclusive in certain areas while others provide nationwide coverage. Popular networks include Charge Your Car, Pod Point, Ecotricity, and BP Chargemaster (Polar).

While many EV charging stations are free to use, most fast and rapid chargers cost money.

Depending on the network, some accept payments with RFID cards, and others require users to download a smartphone app.

Cost to Charge a Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid

A standard charging tariff includes a flat connection fee, a cost per charging hour (1p/h), or a cost per kWh consumed (1p/kWh). The cost of charging your PHEV varies between home, work and public networks.

The table below shows an estimate.

‍

* Assumes a 28p/kWh tariff rate. Home charging costs will depend on your electricity rate.

** Assumes most network rapid chargers will have a 44p/kWh tariff rate by April 2022.

Because the cost of charging differs significantly between EV charging stations and networks, Bonnet’s Boosts Membership options guarantee savings of 10%-15% from standard market rates for charging.

Takeaway

The ability to drive electric most of the time and access gasoline when needed has encouraged many people to drive electric.

But to take advantage of the car’s all-electric range and maximise the overall efficiency and operating costs, you must recharge after most, if not all, travels. 

Hence, a Prius Plug-in might not be the best option for you if plugging in where you live isn’t convenient or an option.

However, you might choose a Prius Plug-in Hybrid if charging is accessible and you want a spacious, comfortable, easy-to-drive, well-equipped, and exceptionally efficient car.

FAQs

What happens if you don’t charge a plug-in hybrid?

It is possible to drive the PHEV in the regular hybrid mode without charging. Although plug-in hybrids can run on gasoline or electricity, they’re best driven with fully charged batteries.

How often should you charge a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle?

It depends on how much you drive it. You’ll probably need to recharge every day if you commute frequently. It’s ideal to do this overnight since you’ll have the time to recharge and only use electricity during off-peak hours.

Do plug-in hybrid charge while driving?

Since a PHEV has a larger battery pack, its engine will charge the batteries slightly when needed, but not fully. It would be best if you plugged in your PHEV to achieve its full zero-emission benefits.

How fast can a Prius go on electric only?

84mph. The Prius Plug-in has a range of 34 miles and a maximum speed of 84 mph, but not both simultaneously because the faster you go, the faster the battery drains.

Can you drive a Prius on electric only?

No. It would be best if you never drove Prius Prime without gasoline in the tank. In some cases, you may drive in electric mode alone, but the vehicle always requires gasoline to operate properly.

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