As a fleet car or family car, the Toyota Prius Plug In Hybrid has a spacious cabin to accommodate large families and, due to its smooth drivetrain, provides a very comfortable ride. Our car fleet review of this car found the fuel economy and emission standards to be best in class and if you sell it in the future it will have a high resale value. The only drawbacks are poor rear visibility, lack of steering feel, and plastic interiors considering the high price.

As 2011 is going to be revolutionary as many establishments and businesses have planned to install charging points for electric vehicles, this review of the Toyota Prius Plug In Hybrid vehicle fleet is designed to help you make a good decision. Some electric vehicles will be released this year and next year will have a fair choice.

The Toyota Prius is already quite common on the roads, especially in urban areas where hybrids have become popular. Toyota has sold more than two million hybrid models and is therefore the only manufacturer that has the most experience in the development and implementation of hybrid technology.

The latest Prius model is capable of driving 2 miles on battery power alone, and for 2012 it will also have the option of a plug-in version. The Prius PHV will use lithium-ion batteries and will travel 12.5 miles on battery power alone. This distance is enough to cover short trips, and to get a full charge when the battery is empty, it would take about an hour and a half from the usual 240v outlets.

The vehicle is also equipped with regenerative technology that will use energy while decelerating and charging the battery, thus giving it optimal range. When battery power is low, Prius runs on its 1.8-liter gasoline engine for most of its power needs, using the battery for occasional help.

If you think this technology comes at a high price, you should note that the vehicle is eligible for a £5,000 grant, provided the government has extended the cash allocation in its scheme. If you compare the regular Prius model, the plug-in has less trunk space, as the battery pack is larger and there is a power outlet next to the front passenger door.

We tested the Prius for a few days to find out its practicality and also to see if fears of short EV battery life were well founded. The vehicle was driven for approximately 150 miles and most of this distance is covered by highway. Hybrids or electric vehicles generally do not perform as well at constant high speeds.

An electric vehicle’s battery will run out quickly. In a hybrid, when the engine runs constantly at high speed, it negates the benefit of fuel economy, as the engine has to support its own weight and that of the battery. But we found that the Prius was able to maintain its EV mode drive from Epsom to just beyond M25.

The reading on the trip computer was found to be 75 mpg after the trip was complete. This wasn’t far off the 74.3 mpg reading we got from the standard Prius combined cycle. But you should keep in mind that the standard Prius traveling at 70 mph would not have 70 mpg economy.

Over a course of seven days, the vehicle was able to run in EV mode on my approximately 22-mile route, assuming half the trip was exhaust-free. This would have been ideal, but the actual distance in EV mode was only about eight miles after starting the trip. This could be due to the heating and ventilation system consuming energy due to cold weather and also due to maintaining speeds of 50 to 70 mph.

The Prius seems to be ideal, where the vehicle is used for shorter trips and the charging opportunity presents itself during the course of the day. For longer trips, a budget hybrid backup of the powertrain would serve the purpose.

For 2012 there will be plenty of choice between part-electric and part-gasoline vehicles like the Vauxhall Ampera and Chevrolet’s Volt. Peugeot is also launching some diesel hybrids. Even with these models, Toyota should be able to maintain a stronger position, given its expertise in hybrid technology and a vehicle that has already proven its worth.

The verdict from our fleet vehicle review is that an EV with a 12 mile range on battery is attractive for certain travel requirements and if the plug-in vehicle subsidy scheme is extended then the Toyota Prius Plug In Hybrid will be quite popular. , whether as a fleet car or family car.