While hybrid vehicles are making history, they’re also sparking a lot of mystery. As the public discovers and investigates hybrids, many questions are being asked about the new technology.

      Toyota Motor Corporation recently provided a series of questions and answers about the new technology. Below are some of the questions that have been raised about hybrid vehicles, as well as the answers.    

Q: Do hybrids meet their EPA fuel ratings?
      A: The EPA’s laboratory fuel mileage tests were initiated more than 25 years ago to provide a means for consumers to make valid fuel-mileage comparisons between vehicles. Posting of mileage numbers on the window sticker is required by law. Auto industry practice has consistently been to use the EPA-provided numbers to assure a level playing field.

      However, many things have changed over the past 20 years - speed limits have increased, congestion has increased, and vehicles have more power-hungry accessory equipment, such as automatic climate control, to name a few. The EPA tests are conducted in controlled laboratory conditions, at average speeds of no more than 48 mph, without air conditioning and at moderate temperatures. Test values are then adjusted down using adjustment factors developed by the EPA in the mid-80s. While this provides consistent and valid comparison data, it is widely accepted that many drivers of all types of vehicles experience lower results than the labels.

      Toyota has met with EPA on these issues, and we will work with them to help gather the data needed to evaluate whether revised label adjustments are necessary.

      At Toyota, we hear from early Prius customers that many of them average well over 45 miles per gallon in their cars. This is more than double the national average of 20.8 mpg for conventional vehicles. Prius owners are happy spending less time and less money at the pumps, especially as prices continue to rise, while driving the cleanest gas-powered vehicle on the road.     

Q: Do hybrids need to be plugged in?

      A: There is no need to plug in hybrid vehicles. They have electric motors and gasoline engines which work together to provide power. The batteries for the electric motor are re-charged by energy captured as the driver brakes or coasts in the car and also by a separate engine-driven generator.    

Q: Why doesn’t Prius offer a plug-in option so it can run in electric-only mode?

      A: Great effort went into making hybrid cars so they don’t have to be plugged in. If a car is converted, it will have a negative effect on the life of the batteries and the reality is that it’s likely the grid electricity being used is derived from...

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