Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid (photos) in Toyota city
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Toyota Motor Corporation recently announced the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid. But for me this seems like old news. I live in Toyota city (where… you guessed it… Toyota Motor Corporation HQ is located) and plug-in has been driving around all year. But they are company cars and basically promos on wheels.
These photos were taken in Toyota city on June 30th 2011, in the center of Toyota City. Damn, am I lazy, I’ve had this post as a draft for almost 6 months!
On a drive to Shizuoka last weekend, on the Tokodai Expressway (the main highway between Osaka and Tokyo) already has EV (Electronic Vehicle) charging points at most rest areas for the Prius Plug-In Hybrid.
Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid Photos

Just a standard looking Prius on the outside.

This is the charging station where two Prius Plug-in Hyrbid's are usually found. This is in the middle of the city, there is also one outside City Hall

I can't understand much of it, but you can guess from the picture how it all works. The text in the bubble on top of the cars says solar panel.

A fuel-bowser style stand where the electrical plug comes from. The screen shows various stats on energy usage.

The plug-in point is in front of the front passenger's side door.

Close-up of the charging point.
Very interesting! Looks like the power comes from the solar panel on the roof and its very “Eco” as they say in Japan.