Toyota said today that New York City will join the company’s U.S. Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicle demonstration program.
Five new Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicles will be used on city streets as part of Toyota’s partnership with the New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT) and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
As part of the demonstration program, two Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicles will be handed over to the NYCDOT and three to the Port Authority to be used in their fleets. Aligning with New York City’s goal to reduce carbon emissions and greenhouse gases, Toyota’s Prius Plug-in Hybrid demonstration program will provide opportunities for both NYCDOT and the Port Authority to look into expanding the use of alternative fuel vehicles in municipal and business fleets.
In preparation for commercial launch in 2012, more than 160 Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicles are being delivered to demonstration program partners across the U.S., as part of a global demonstration of more than 600 vehicles.
The Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicle can be fully charged in approximately three hours from a standard 110-volt electrical outlet, or in 90 minutes with a 220-volt connection. A fully charged Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicle is capable of running on electricity for approximately 13 miles at speeds of up to 62 mph. For longer distances, the PHV reverts to its hybrid mode, operating as a regular Prius.
Toyota and New York City have partnered together on a variety of environmental initiatives. Over the past five years, the City has purchased more than 2,500 Toyota hybrid vehicles for its municipal fleet. Toyota has also delivered 10 prototype hydrogen Fuel Cell vehicles to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York for a demonstration program with the Port Authority.[wzslider height=”400″ lightbox=”true”]