Prius

• Environmentally-friendly

• 45 mpg

• Reasonable sticker price

• High gadgets for monitoring fuel consumption
  

• Roomy and quiet

• Low CO2 footprint

The Prius uses a hybrid gas-electric powertrain and gets 51 mpg in the city, 48 mpg on the highway. 

The vehicle's EV (Electric Vehicle) mode operates at below 30 mph and fits into the class of Super Ultra Low Emissions when running in EV mode. 

The Prius accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 9.8 seconds.c

In late 2009, Toyota released 500 Prius Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (EVs) for global demonstration. The fleet tested the durability and reliability of the lithium-ion batteries.

A full EV commuter vehicle has been announced for 2012 and a Fuel Cell Hybrid EV will be available by 2015.c

1. Plug-In Conversions have developed software that allows you to get up to 70 mph in a plug-in Prius.

2. Fuel economy could reach 170 mpg in a Prius.

3. The kit replaces the Toyota’s 1.3 kilowatt-hour nickel metal hydride battery with a 6.1 kilowatt-hour pack at a cost of $12,500.c

1. The electric motor uses neodymium magnets, about 2.2 lbs of neodymium.

2. Toyota sold approximately one million units in America in 2010. The increased demand on neodymium is creating pressure for neodymium supply.

3. Terbium and dysprosium are added in smaller amounts to preserve neodymium’s magnetic properties at high temperatures.c

A solar powered ventilation system helps keep the interior air temperature near the outside ambient temperature. This feature reduces the use of air-conditioning.c