A solar-charging hybrid! 2023 Toyota Prius PHEV goes on sale in Japan with 223 PS

The 2023 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) has gone on sale in Japan with a unique feature to help keep its battery pack fully charged.

It has a second-generation solar charging system on its roof as a secondary method of keeping the battery pack charged.

The Japanese automaker claims that this system can give the Prius up to 1,250 km of electric-only driving range per year, calculated based on Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association Labeling Guidelines.

Charging the 2023 Toyota Prius PHEV takes 4.5 hours using a 200V / 16 A power socket. Its small battery pack can give the vehicle an electric-only driving range of 87 to 105 km depending on the variant and wheel options.

As for its charging port, the PHEV utilizes a Type 1 charger, which while great for keeping its small battery pack charged up, does not give it access to fast charging. 

Rolling power bank

The fifth generation of the Prius, which made its world debut on November 2022, is available with three engine options: 

• A 1.8-liter inline-4 hybrid with 140 PS
• A 2.0-liter inline-4 hybrid with 196 PS
• A 2.0-liter inline-4 hybrid with 223 PS

All the figures mentioned before are the total system out of the new Prius with the electric motor.

Regarding fuel efficiency, the Prius PHEV can consume a claimed 30.1 km/l for the variants riding on 17-inch wheels, while models with 19-inch wheels can do 26 km/l. Figures are as tested under the stricter WLTC test cycle.

Like all-electric vehicles such as the Nissan LEAF, Hyundai IONIQ 5 and the Kia EV6, the 2023 Toyota Prius also has vehicle-to-anything capabilities.

The feature lets the car act like a power bank, storing energy when needed, such as in emergencies. Toyota says the Prius PHEV has enough energy to power an average Japanese household for about five days. 

Combine the battery pack with the gasoline engine and Toyota says the 1,500 W socket of the 2023 Prius PHEV can deliver 10 kWh (400 W per hour) a day.

What do you think about the 2023 Prius' new charging tech?

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