From Ecopedia

Overview

Toyota Prius is a mid-sized, fully-hybrid electric car manufactured by the globally leading automobile manufacturer, the Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota Motors). Toyota Motors released the first version of the car into the Japanese market in 1997. Subsequently in 2001, the Hybrid Electric Vehicle (hev) entered the global market. Sold in over 40 countries with Japan and the US grabbing the major market share, Prius recorded an envious one million mark in vehicle sales. By early 2009, the US managed to take more than half of the total worldwide sales of the Prius, which reached 1.2 million.

Environmental Information

Prius is known to be the most eco-friendly fuel efficient gasoline car available in the current US market.

Hybrid technology

Toyota Prius is the flagship vehicle of Toyota Motor’s eco-friendly hybrid technology. The technology aids in achieving:

-enhanced fuel efficiency (third generation Prius provided with rooftop-mount solar panels for maximizing solar energy/power and enhancing fuel efficiency)

-reduced tailpipe emissions for certain criteria pollutants as well as carbon dioxide and other Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)

-reduced fuel consumption

Hybrid Synergy Drive

Prius 2008 model incorporated an innovative Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) unit, which by combining a planetary gearset would behave similar to a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), known as the Power Split Device, to ensure enhanced efficiency.

A computer-controlled transaxle of the HSD adjusts as well as blends power from the electric motor-generator and the gasoline engine as and when required by the rechargeable batteries and front drive wheels.

The first plug-in prototype of the company, based on the Prius 2008 model, demonstrates Hybrid Synergy Drive’s (HSD’s) flexibility. The smart blending of both the electric and gasoline power of the HSD system, Toyota Motors offers a cleaner hybrid technology.

Rechargeable Batteries

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are used to power the plug-in hybrid version of the Toyota Prius. Small-sized light-weight rechargeable Li-ion batteries ensure enhanced charge efficiency with no memory effect.

Highest Recognition by the USEPA

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) as well as the California Air Resources Board (CARB), rate the Toyota Prius as the most fuel efficient and cleanest gasoline car currently available in the US market. Both the USEPA and CARB observations are based on the low toxic emissions and smog forming features of the car.

On the other hand, the government of Canada chose Toyota Prius for the 2009 ecoENERGY vehicle award.

Celebrity Choice

Toyota Prius became a celebrity luxury with many popular celebrities such as There's Something About Mary fame, Cameron Diaz, Titanic fame Leonardo DiCaprio (owns 4 prius hybrids) and others including Billy Joel, David Duchovny and Bill Maher own the car.

References

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Prius http://www.ehow.com/facts_5778984_environmental-toyota-prius.html http://celebrity-luxury.blogspot.com/2007/11/cameron-diazs-toyota-prius.html