Toyota Prius PHV in-home Chargers Coming in 2012

If you fancy yourself a Chicago Toyota hybrid enthusiast, then you must be sitting on pins and needles while waiting for the arrival of the 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid.  We here at Schaumburg Toyota can’t wait for this beauty of a hybrid to make its debut at our dealer showroom.  While we aren’t exactly sure of that specific date of arrival, what we do know is that Toyota is gearing up to produce something entirely special and necessary for the Prius Plug-in.  What we are talking about here folks is the in home charging station.

The in home charging station is exactly what it sounds like.  It is a charging station that Prius Plug-in Hybrid owners will have to use to charge their beloved car at home.  It is not something portable that will be available for use during short trips or the daily commute to and from work.

For those Chicago Toyota Van and SUV drivers who are interested in the Prius Plug-in Hybrid, but are having some reservations as to this advanced technology, there is nothing to fear.  The in home charging unit is priced at quite an affordable price.  It is estimated to cost around $2,045 if you include the installation process.  And that’s not all; there will be two charging stations available.  So if you really think about it, it is kind of similar to getting a buy one get one free deal.  One station will be mounted to an exterior wall in order to offer a quick recharge option outside.  Another station will be mounted in the garage for worry free overnight charging.

The in home charging unit, using a 110 volt electrical outlet, will then charge the Prius Plug-in Hybrid in about three hours.  All that the owners have to do is to use a charge cable that is already included with the purchase of their vehicle, and place the plug into a round socket directly below the driver’s side mirror.  The lid that covers the battery charger port is even marked with a distinctive emblem for owners to easily locate.  Once charged, owners will then enjoy driving up to 13 miles on pure electrical power before the hybrid technology kicks in, thus saving not only the earth but also lots of money on pricey gas.