A complete guide to charging the Toyota Prius Plug-in

The Toyota Prius Plug-In is the perfect choice for those who want to combine the benefits of petrol and electric technology. This hybrid car allows you to reduce fuel costs and CO2 emissions, while providing a sufficient range on a single charge. In this guide, we'll cover all aspects of Toyota Prius Plug-In charging in Ukraine: how to charge the car at home, at work and at public charging stations, as well as what you should know about charging costs and available options. Learn how to get the most out of your Prius Plug-In and extend its battery life.

We remind you that you can purchase home and commercial charging stations in our online storeand also use the public charging stations ECOFACTORcharging points located throughout Ukraine. For convenient access to charging infrastructure, we recommend using our mobile applicationwhich is available on iOS and Android.

Why choose the Toyota Prius Plug-In?

The Toyota Prius Plug-In is one of the most efficient plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) combining a petrol engine and an electric motor. Thanks to its larger battery, the Prius Plug-In can travel longer distances on electric power, reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Your Toyota Prius takes about two hours to charge, allowing you to cover up to 50 km without using petrol. This makes it very economical, especially in urban environments where you may often be driving exclusively on electricity. In addition, unlike conventional hybrids, the Prius Plug-In has low CO2 emissions, which is important for users who need significant car tax benefits.

Another attractive feature of the Prius Plug-In is its continuous ability to switch between electric and petrol engines, which makes it possible to extend the range. In particular, it can be charged at any conventional charging station.

How do plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) work?

Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) combine two energy sources - a petrol engine and an electric motor - to significantly reduce fuel costs and CO2 emissions. The distinctive feature of such cars is that you can choose whether to drive on electricity or petrol, depending on how much the battery is charged.

The PHEV charging process can be carried out either through standard sockets or through special charging stations. When you charge the car, the battery stores energy for use by the electric motor. In addition, the car can automatically recharge its battery while driving thanks to regenerative braking. This means that when you brake or slow down, energy that would normally be lost as heat is returned to the battery.

PHEVs are especially beneficial for those who often drive short distances, as the car can run exclusively on electric power for most of the time. This allows you to save on fuel by reducing the need to refuel with petrol and also reduces harmful emissions. Depending on the type of use, you may not even need to use the petrol engine for long periods of time, reducing the overall cost of running the vehicle.

How to charge the Toyota Prius Plug-In?

To charge the Toyota Prius Plug-In, you need to connect the cable to the appropriate connector. The Prius Plug-In uses a Type 2 connector, which is located on the right side of the car, at the rear, where the fuel filler flap is usually located. This connector is standard for most European and Ukrainian charging stations, making the charging process convenient and accessible in many locations.

Charging can be fast or slow, depending on the charging station you connect to. Fast charging typically requires a Type 2 to Type 2 cable, which provides high charging speeds through special charging stations. Slow charging, on the other hand, typically uses a standard 3-pin to Type 2 cable that is suitable for home sockets. Your Prius Plug-In comes with all the necessary cables for the different types of charging.

Once the cable is connected, the vehicle automatically checks for power to ensure that everything is safe for charging. If the check is successful, the charging process will start automatically.

Charging time

It is not usually necessary to charge the vehicle completely from scratch before the 100%. It is often sufficient to simply "recharge" the battery for a few hours, especially if you are charging the vehicle at night. This recharge usually takes 2-3 hours and keeps the battery in optimal condition while minimising the time spent charging.

Charging times may vary depending on the type of charging station.If you use a standard socket (slow charging, 2.2-2.3 kW), it will take around 8-10 hours to reach a full charge depending on the condition of the battery. However, if you have a Level 2 charging station, you should be able to charge your Prius Plug-In in less time - around 2 hours.

Where can I charge my Toyota Prius Plug-In?

One of the main advantages of the Toyota Prius Plug-In is the ability to charge in a variety of locations, making it convenient and flexible for owners. Whether you're at home, at work or on the road, there are several charging options to keep your battery charged and ready to go. In this section, we'll take a look at the most common Toyota Prius Plug-In charging locations in Ukraine, as well as the features of each option.

Charging at home

Charging at home is the most convenient and affordable option for most car owners, and the Toyota Prius Plug-In is no exception. All you need is a standard electrical outlet to connect the cable to the car. Charging through a regular outlet provides a battery range of approximately 4-5 km per hour, making it a good option for recharging overnight or when the car is not in use.

A full charge via a standard wall outlet will take about 5-6 hours, depending on the battery condition. This may be the best solution for people who use the car for short distances, such as city driving or daily commuting.

If you want to charge your Prius faster, you can install a Level 2 home charger with a 3.7 kW output. These chargers reduce charging times by enabling you to charge the battery to 100% in around 4 hours. This is a very convenient option if you use your car frequently and need faster charging, especially if you plan to take long electric journeys.

Charging at work

If you can charge your car at work, it's a great way to keep your charge level up without having to spend time charging at home. Many companies are now starting to install charging stations on their premises, making the charging process convenient and accessible for employees. You can charge your car during the workday without having to worry about when you need to go home to recharge.

Ukraine also has government programmes that support the installation of charging stations in workplaces. This encourages companies, government agencies, and other organisations to implement infrastructure for electric vehicles. This initiative not only promotes environmentally friendly transport, but also provides convenient opportunities for employees to use their electric cars without restrictions.

Charging on public networks

As the popularity of electric cars grows, the number of public charging stations is increasing in Ukraine. In large cities such as Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, Kharkiv and others, you can already find a fairly large number of charging stations for electric vehicles. Most of these stations offer the possibility to charge a car using different types of connectors, including Type 2, which supports Toyota Prius Plug-In.

In Ukraine, some charging station networks provide free services, which is great news for electric car owners. However, charges may apply for fast charging or for using certain types of chargers (fast charging, for example). Charging rates may vary depending on the location of the station and the type of charger.

To use public stations, you often need to register in a special app or receive a special card from the network operator. There are already several popular mobile apps in Ukraine that help to find the nearest charging stations, track their status and ease of access. This makes the charging process convenient and easy, and helps to avoid misunderstandings about the availability of free charging points.

In general, the ability to charge the car at public stations significantly expands the possibilities for Prius Plug-In owners, allowing them to travel comfortably in the city and between cities without worrying about battery limitations.

The cost of charging the Toyota Prius Plug-In

The cost of charging a Toyota Prius Plug-In may vary depending on the charging location (at home, at work or at public charging stations). In general, charging an electric vehicle includes a fixed connection fee and an additional charge for the energy consumed, which can be calculated per hour or per kWh consumed. In Ukraine, charging rates may vary depending on the type of charging station used.

Here is an example of the approximate cost of charging for a Toyota Prius Plug-In in Ukraine:

* The cost of charging at home depends on the electricity tariff, which varies depending on your supplier and tariff type.

** Fast charging on public networks may be more expensive due to the higher fast charging rates charged for each kWh consumed.

Charging costs may vary depending on the type of charging station and region. For example, some public networks provide free charging services, but you will have to pay more for fast charging (e.g. at fast charging stations).

Additionally, if you use special charging apps, they may offer discounts or special rates for their users, which can save you money on charging costs.

ECOFACTOR - Solutions for charging electric vehicles in Ukraine

We are ECOFACTOR, a company specialising in the development, production and implementation of charging stations for electric vehicles in Ukraine and abroad. Our main task is to provide convenient and efficient infrastructure for charging electric vehicles, supporting the development of electric mobility in the country.

Our products and services:

• App for drivers: Our application is available for iOS and Android and helps users find the nearest charging stations. With our app, you can easily track your car's charge, find stations on map of charging stations and receive important information in real time.
• Charging stations: We offer a wide range of charging stations for different types of electric vehicles. Our stations have a power output of 3.6 kW to 420 kW, which allows you to choose the optimal solution for both home use and business.
• Online shop: On our website you can buy all the necessary accessories for electric cars, including cables and adapters, various charging stations. The entire range of products is available to customers through a convenient online store.

We provide comprehensive solutions for businesses, including charging stations for restaurants, hotels, shopping centres, residential complexes and other facilities. In addition, our technologies help to provide convenient charging for electric car owners both at home and in public places.

Our company supports the electric vehicle charging infrastructure not only in Ukraine but also in 11 countries across Europe and Central Asia, making our solutions available to a wide range of users.

With ECOFACTOR, you will not only get high-quality charging stations, but also access to innovative tools that make it easier to use electric cars in everyday life.

Conclusion.

Charging the Toyota Prius Plug-In is a simple and convenient process that provides many options for users to ensure maximum efficiency and longevity of your vehicle. Whether you charge your vehicle at home, at work or using public charging stations, it is important to choose the right type of charging station and charging time to ensure the best results. Using additional resources, such as a mobile app, can help you find the nearest charging stations and keep track of your battery's charge.

Frequently asked questions