Toyota Electrified Vehicles

October 16th, 2023 by

Features, Advantages, and Benefits of Toyota Hybrid Vehicles

2023 - 2024 Toyota Electrified Line up

 

In the last few years we’ve all seen an increase in the conversations around environmentalism. One major contributor to the carbon emission problem is vehicle emissions, and that’s why many countries are looking at ways to reduce this issue. In Canada, the government has committed to ensuring that by 2035 all passenger vehicle and light-duty truck sales will be zero-emission. Part of reaching this goal is to have 20% of all sales be zero emission by 2026, increasing to 60% by 2030. If you’re looking to lease or purchase a new vehicle any time soon you may be curious about investing in a  low or zero-emission vehicle, Toyota can help get you there.

The world’s first mass-produced hybrid vehicle premiered in 1997, the Toyota Prius. Since then Toyota has sold over 20 million electric vehicles worldwide and has saved over 94 million tons of CO2 from entering our atmosphere. With over two decades of experience with electric vehicle manufacturing, Toyota is at the forefront of the electric vehicle revolution and has many options available for any and all drivers. From the Corolla to the Tundra, most Toyotas are now available in an electric style. Toyota has four different styles of electric vehicles: gas-electric hybrid (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), battery electric (BEV), and fuel cell electric (FCEV). But with so many options, how does one decide which suits them best? The first thing to know is the difference between the four categories.

 

What is a Gas-Electric Hybrid Vehicle?

A RAV4 Hybrid XSE in Wind Chill Pearl with a black roof

A RAV4 Hybrid XSE in Wind Chill Pearl with a black roof

 

The electric Toyota most similar to a traditional gas vehicle is the HEV. It features a typical internal combustion gas engine, paired with an electric motor which work together to reduce emissions and save you money at the pump, all while requiring no change in your driving or maintenance habits. According to Toyota Canada, the ‘self-charging’ battery in the HEV works through “regenerative braking”, which uses recycled energy captured from braking to recharge a hybrid vehicle’s electric battery”. This means that the HEV is most efficient when in a “stop-and-go” environment as encountered by most urban drivers. When starting up, the HEV uses the electric motor to reduce gas consumption when in motion it uses intuitive technology known as “electronic continuously variable transmission” (eCVT) to ensure a seamless transition from gas to electric depending on driving conditions. The vehicle will also engage an engine shut-off when stopped but not shifted into park, such as when waiting at a red light. The HEV also features an EV mode, which allows the driver to travel on battery alone for short distances at a low speed. These features all contribute to hybrids having smooth, silent rides. One big difference drivers see once they get behind a hybrid wheel is about its superior performance. Thanks to the seamless integration of electric elements, drivers find a more peppy and responsive experience in an HEV, delivering “instant torque and smoother acceleration”, just another benefit to driving a hybrid Toyota. The HEV is the most common style of Toyota hybrid, with 12 different models available with this engine type.

The second most common Toyota hybrid type is the PHEV, the plug-in hybrid, which has many similarities to the HEV. It also has a conventional internal combustion gas engine paired with an electric motor that uses regenerative braking to recharge and can run on gas, electricity, or both. The main difference between the two is the size of the battery, and therefore its power and driving range. With the addition of a plug-in charging port, the electric-only (EV) driving range is significantly increased. When in EV mode, the HEV models are able to travel approximately 1km at 40km/hr or less; this is mostly to be used in spaces such as indoor parking garages. The PHEV far exceeds this, being capable of reaching speeds up to 135 km/hr at a duration of over 65km, making electric-only driving feasible not only in the city but on the highway too. According to Toyota Canada, the Prius Prime has “the longest total driving range of any plug-in electric car with a range of 1,035km combined electric/hybrid driving”. It was also just placed on the list of 2023 Wards 10 Best Engine & Propulsion Systems. The two PHEV Toyota models are the aforementioned Prius Prime and the RAV4 Prime. 

 

A 2023 Prius Prime being plugged in

A 2023 Prius Prime being plugged in

 

One common point of hesitation surrounding a plug-in hybrid is in regards to the port charging, but there are three consumer-oriented options for this at home, simply named level 1, 2, or 3. All Toyota BEVs and PHEVs “come standard with a level 1 charging cable that can be plugged into any 120V household outlet” states Toyota Canada. This is the simplest plug-in option, requiring no additional installation or costs, just access to a normal 120-volt electrical port near your vehicle’s parking spot. The average level 1 full charging time for a PHEV sits around 5.5 hours, more than doable for an average overnight charge. However, level 2 charging is less than half that, averaging just over 2 hours, but does require access to a 240-volt outlet, a similar outlet size as to a larger appliance such as an oven or water heater. Level 3 chargers are the fastest of the chargers, taking as little as 30 minutes for a full charge. However, the 480-volt direct current is too powerful for some vehicles and is therefore delegated only to select BEVs, such as the bZ4x. Toyota Canada states for anyone looking to install a level 2 or higher charging station “it is highly recommended that you consult with a certified installer about requirements and costs”.  With charging equipment in the home of a PHEV/BEV owner, as well as more than 5,000 charging stations nationwide, there is no shortage of power sources for pure electric vehicles.

What is a Pure Electric Vehicle?

A 2023 BZ4X

A 2023 BZ4X

 

One of the newer electric Toyota types is the Battery Electric (BEV), another plug-in Toyota, one with no internal combustion engine. Instead, this electric vehicle stores energy in a large battery pack and is run by high-output electric motors. The lack of a gas engine means that BEVs have no exhaust, and also no more visits to the gas pump. However, they follow the typical maintenance schedule, being recommended to visit a dealership or mechanic every 6 months or 8,000km; although what happens under the hood is bound to look different from any gas-engine vehicle since “there is no transmission fluid, and there are no starters, alternators or belts to be replaced”. The bZ4X utilizes some of the same regenerative braking technology as the hybrids but gains the majority of its energy from plug-in charging. BEVs have the same charging options as PHEVs, plus the highly efficient, BEV-only option of level 3 charging. Just like with the hybrids, charging times vary depending on the level. Level one charging at 120 volts can take 20 to 50 hours for a full charge, level two at 240 volts is three to seven times faster, and level three can take as little as an hour. The estimated range of a BEV on a full charge is around 406km, though this is subject to fluctuation based on other elements such as driving habits, battery size, or the weather. Currently, the only Toyota to utilize this BEV technology is the bZ4X, which stands for “Beyond Zero, an ideal that aims for carbon neutrality throughout the vehicle’s lifecycle- from production to end-of-life recycling.” The bZ4X has three trim levels to accommodate Toyota drivers who want to dive into the world of all-electric driving, and Toyota Canada has announced that they are expecting to release 14 more BEVs, seven of them under the ‘bZ’ moniker. 

 

2023 Mirai in Hydro Blue

A 2023 Mirai in Hydro Blue

 

Lastly, the futuristic Fuel Cell Electric (FCEV), or Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric. FCEV vehicles are fully electric, but rather than using plug-in charging power to run, they utilize hydrogen fueling and some regenerative braking like other hybrid/electric units. FCEV vehicles are filled with hydrogen much the same as a gas engine, but the only exhaust emission is water,  none of the harmful outputs of a gas vehicle. Toyota Canada explains the process saying “The hydrogen is stored in carbon fibre, high-impact resistant tanks. Hydrogen travels from the tanks to the fuel cell stack. There it goes through a chemical reaction involving oxygen in the air to create the electricity that powers the vehicle.” Currently, Toyota’s only FCEV is the Mirai, which takes about five minutes to refuel and can travel up to 647km. The warranty is 36 months or 60,000km, and has 36 months of roadside assistance. It follows the same 6-month/ 8,000km recommended maintenance schedule as all other Toyotas and often needs even less maintenance due to having no starters, alternator, or belts, as well as regenerative brake technology is easier on the brakes and rotors. Driver safety is top of mind in the Mirai, so the chassis of the Mirai is designed specifically around the fuel cell system “to protect components in a collision and is equipped with safety sensors to detect leaks. If a collision is detected the hydrogen tank valves are shut off. Since gas is lighter than air, it rapidly disperses, reducing the potential for damage in the event of ignition.” 

 

The energy monitor display of a RAV4

The energy monitor display of a RAV4 Hybrid

 

Another common concern for those looking to get into an electric vehicle is the practical and ethical question: How long does an electric battery last, and what happens to them once they’re replaced? Toyota Canada states “Toyota Hybrid Electric Batteries are designed to last the life of the vehicle and come with a 10-year or 240,000-kilometer warranty (whichever comes first)”. As for BEVs, Toyota Canada says “In addition to the 3-year or 60,000km* Basic Complete Vehicle Warranty, Toyota Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) come with a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) components coverage- good for 8 years or 160,000* km and an Electric Vehicle Battery Warranty good for 8 years or 160,000* km.” This reassures potential drivers of our high expectations for the performance length of our hybrid/electric batteries, after all, Toyota was the first mass producer of electric vehicles. But it is hardly unheard of for a Toyota to still be fully functioning past those parameters. But not to worry, “Since the launch of the first Prius, Toyota Canada has had a robust hybrid battery recycling program in place. Recapturing useful metals, removing potentially toxic elements, and diverting upwards of 98 percent of battery material from landfill.” Toyota has also made many moves in the last couple of decades to find creative uses for the old batteries aside from just sending them to the recyclers. One of these projects was the Lamar Buffalo Ranch Project in 2015 in Yellowstone National Park. Through this “208 repurposed Camry Hybrid batteries were used to store electricity generated by solar panels, providing zero-emissions power to the ranger station and education center. The first initiative of its kind, it certainly won’t be our last” says Toyota Canada. 

How do I get a Toyota Hybrid, Plug In Hybrid or Electric Vehicle?

If at this point you’re feeling more interested in getting behind the wheel of a new hybrid or electric vehicle, you may be interested in knowing that the Canadian government has set up the iZEV Program which provides financial incentives and tax write-offs for businesses. For more information about this and to see how you might qualify reach out to your nearest Toyota dealership. 

As we all continue to shift towards an eco-friendly future we will see more hybrid/electric vehicles on our roads, and Toyota strives to stay at the head of electric automotive technology. “One of the few automotive manufacturers to develop their own batteries in-house, Toyota Motor Corporation recently announced a 13.5 billion dollar investment by 2030 to develop 10 different battery lines with a focus on becoming industry-leaders in Solid State battery technology.” Toyota was the first to make hybrid technology widely available, and we aren’t slowing our momentum, there are great things on the horizon, and we hope you’ll consider joining us for the journey.

Shop for a Toyota Hybrid or Plug In Hybrid in Sherwood Park or Edmonton

If you would like more information on any of the available Hybrid or Plug In vehicles that we have in stock contact us today for more information.