Toyota

General

• Why would I choose a Toyota powered by Hybrid Synergy Drive®?

  Toyota leads the world when it comes to hybrid technology and hybrid car sales. Since it's launch in Japan in 1997, we've delivered over 2 million hybrid cars worldwide, far more than any other manufacturer.

  Closer to home, more than 13,000 Prius have been sold throughout Australia, in cities, country and even the outback.

  We've also been honoured with a number of awards for our hybrid cars, along with 10 awards for Hybrid Synergy Drive®, Toyota's superior hybrid technology.

• What sets a hybrid car apart from a petrol or diesel vehicle?

  A hybrid vehicle is powered by two energy sources-a petrol engine which is supplemented by an electric motor. They are combined in such a way that each power source takes the role it's most efficient at performing to maximise the strengths of both. Depending on driving conditions and need, they operate cooperatively or independently delivering a seamless, dynamic drive with maximum performance and far improved fuel efficiency with minimum emissions.

  In all other respects, a hybrid car is like most other vehicles you’ll come across. They drive like regular automatic cars, they use unleaded fuel, have the same luggage capabilities, and drive under the same weather conditions. In fact, apart from the sound of silence when the car is running on electric power alone and the potential for significant fuel savings, most drivers are unlikely to notice any significant difference to the running of a hybrid car.

• Can a Toyota hybrid run on electric power alone?

  Toyota's hybrid cars are powered by both a petrol engine and an electric motor. They are designed to operate at maximum efficiency by combining the advantages of both energy sources, and minimising any wastefulness.

  At times, this means that a Toyota hybrid can be powered by electric power alone. This is the true advantage of our hybrid technology, and what sets Hybrid Synergy Drive® apart from the competition. When the petrol engine is not needed, it automatically switches off. In fact, Toyota hybrids can actually run for short distances on battery power alone.

  However, what this does not mean is that a hybrid car can run without any petrol at all. The petrol engine is required to maintain charge of the hybrid battery.

• Are there any additional hybrid models planned for Australia?

  Toyota has currently committed to importing Prius and building Hybrid Camry in Australia. Worldwide, Toyota has plans to build hybrid variants of all major model lines by the 2020s.

  While there are no short-term plans to introduce any additional hybrid models into Australia at this time, Toyota Australia continually monitors local demand and its model range to ensure we deliver to Australian customers cars they want to own and drive.

• Can I tow with a hybrid?

  Due to the innovative technologies at the heart of the hybrid system, it is not recommended to tow with a hybrid car. Hybrid cars are not designed for towing.

• What is the difference between pure electric cars and hybrids?

  Pure electric cars run on electric power alone. While it is true that they emit zero emissions, there are still significant hurdles ahead before electric cars become viable to a wider audience. At present, they are expensive to produce and purchase, and there is limited infrastructure available to support them.

  However, Toyota remains committed to best solutions motoring, and we will continue to research and develop alternative technologies, including pure/plug-in electric cars, as part of our worldwide goal to approach zero impact.

  At present, we believe that hybrid cars offer the best solution, with least compromise, that consumers expect from their motorcar.

• What is the "cleanest" alternative fuel/power source?

  All cars, by their very nature have some negative impact on the environment. We see our role as encouraging the adoption of vehicles and technologies that produce less impact through their lifetime and therefore sustainable motoring.

  Cars powered by Hybrid Synergy Drive® have been recognised globally as 'clean' vehicles achieving many awards and certification to the toughest environmental standards. Many other engine technologies are yet to achieve emissions low enough to satisfy these emerging low emission standards.

  In Australia, the Australian Government's "Green Vehicle Guide" is a reliable, independent website that rates the environmental impact of all vehicles sold in Australia. Importantly, the Green Vehicle Guide’s ratings reflect the full implementation of appropriate Australian Design Rules. The Guide separately rates each vehicle for its greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution levels, as well as providing a simple five star rating system which indicates the vehicles overall performance on both aspects. We're proud that Prius, powered by Hybrid Synergy Drive® was the first, and remains one of only a handful of vehicles to be awarded five stars in the Guide.

  "While diesel vehicles perform comparatively well on fuel consumption and produce lower levels of greenhouse emissions, their contribution to air pollution is generally higher than that of comparative petrol or LPG vehicles. Of most concern are particulate matter and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions which can cause range of adverse health affects. These emissions are generally higher in diesel vehicles compared to petrol or gas vehicles. The Federal Government's Green Vehicle Guide, which ranks vehicles on their greenhouse gas and air pollution performance, doesn't have a single diesel vehicle in its top 50 list of low polluters."
  – Richard Blackburn, The Sydney Morning Herald, June 1, 2007, Drive.com.au

• Is hybrid technology a fad?

  Quite the opposite. We have been working on hybrids for more than 40 years–long before the arrival of airbags, anti-skid brakes and climate control air-conditioning.

  Toyota is committed to hybrid systems as a core technology moving forward. Globally, our goal is to reach one million hybrid sales per year during the 2010s. At the same time, it is our intention to have a hybrid version of every model in our range by the 2020s.

Batteries

• How does the hybrid battery recharge?

  While driving. The batteries that power our hybrid cars recharge automatically as you drive. They can very cleverly recoup energy from driving situations where energy would usually be lost in a regular car, times such as braking or coasting downhill. This is called regenerative braking.

  You definitely never have to plug our hybrid cars into a power point to charge.

• Will I ever have to replace the hybrid battery?

  Almost certainly not. Our hybrid batteries are designed to last the typical life of your vehicle.

  We're so convinced with the outstanding reliability track-record and longevity of our hybrid batteries that we've recently extended our battery warranty period to 8 years or 160,000km (whichever occurs first).

  There are many corporate and taxi fleets operating hybrid vehicles around Australia. For these businesses reliability is essential as these their vehicles travel tens of thousands of kilometres per year.

• What is the warranty coverage on the hybrid battery?

  Effective July 1, 2009, Toyota Australia extended the warranty coverage for the hybrid battery from 5 years or 100,000 kilometres to 8 years or 160,000 kilometres warranty (whichever occurs first) from the warranty commencement date. The extended warranty coverage for the hybrid battery will also apply retrospectively to all hybrid vehicles sold by Toyota Australia since 2001. The 8 year or 160,000 kilometre warranty (whichever occurs first) is fully transferable to a new owner of a vehicle. Owners of Prius vehicles prior to July 1st 2009 delivery, should visit a Toyota dealer to activate the 8 year or 160,000 kilometre hybrid battery warranty. All new hybrid cars delivered from July 1st 2009 come with this warranty pre-activated.

• Does the carbon footprint of making a hybrid battery offset the environmental benefit of owning a hybrid car?

  While it is true that the manufacture of a hybrid car takes a small amount of additional energy than that for a conventional vehicle, this initial outlay is far outweighed by the environmental benefits of driving a hybrid car.

  Toyota carries a rich history in environmental leadership and is committed to working towards a worldwide goal to approach zero impact on the environment in all our activities, including all our activities, including vehicles and production.

  Furthermore, Toyota's hybrid cars have been recognised globally as "clean" vehicles, achieving many awards and certification to the toughest environmental standards in the world. We are committed to recycling, and have programs in place for hybrid battery recycling, which can be arranged through a Toyota dealership at no cost to owners.

Servicing and running costs

• Does it cost any more to run or service a hybrid vehicle?

  The running and upkeep of a hybrid car is comparable to any other Toyota vehicle. Hybrid owners can expect to pay no more for servicing, parts or any other secondary costs associated with running their vehicle, such as insurance. In fact, running costs due to potential fuel savings, all things being equal, would be expected to be substantially less than a similar sized petrol engine vehicle.

  Toyota is well-known for its low cost of car ownership. Toyota hybrids have routine service costs similar to our other models. Our Toyota Service Advantage initiative further reduces standard scheduled servicing costs for new Toyota vehicles. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit http://advantage.toyota.com.au for more information.

Hybrid Camry

• Why did Toyota decide to build the hybrid Camry in Australia?

  Toyota's decision is the culmination of an intensive study which included discussions with the Federal and Victorian governments, which have a strong desire to see new, environmentally-friendly technologies introduced to Australia.

  Both governments continue to provide strong support to the Australian automotive industry and shared in this historic announcement which is positive for Toyota, local car manufacturing and the Australian community.

  In addition, the growing demand for our Prius hybrid also confirmed that there is a need for more hybrid models in our line up.

  Learn more about Hybrid Camry

• How much bigger is the Camry auxilary battery?

  Physically, Camry and Prius batteries are very similar in size.

  Learn more about the Hybrid Camry Battery

• Will a Camry battery be more expensive to replace than a Prius battery?

  Toyota's hybrid batteries will typically last the lifetime of the vehicle. Only a small number of Prius in Australia (less than 0.2%) have required battery replacements since the vehicle was first launched in Australia in October 2001. We expect this great battery life to continue with the Hybrid Camry. There is unlikely to be any major cost difference for battery replacement between the two vehicles.

• Is the hybrid Camry Australia's first local hybrid?

  Hybrid Camry will be the first commercially available hybrid vehicle manufactured in Australia. The decision was announced in June 2008 to begin manufacturing a hybrid version of the Camry sedan at the Altona plan in Melbourne from the beginning of 2010.

  Learn more about the Hybrid Camry- Australia's first Hybrid