Slide 11 The Toyota Hybrid System - The Battery  

• The Prius high voltage battery has 228 NiMH (Nickel Metal Hydride) cells in series, producing 274 volts.

• The energy capacity is about 1.5 kWh, which is enough to supply the motor at 33 kW for a minute or so.

• The Prius battery is controlled to a minimum charge of about 60 per cent - to prolong its life.

• Indeed, all THS components are warranted for 7 years, and the battery is expected to last for 10 to 12 years.

• The battery is cooled with air drawn from the cabin – which is filtered and at an equable temperature.

• The capacity of about 1.5 kWh, at a utilization efficiency of say 90 per cent, implies an output energy of 1.35 kWh.

• Conversely, the Prius fuel tank contains 50 litres of gasoline, which corresponds to about 452 kWh.

• With a utilization efficiency of say 30 per cent, this implies an output energy of 136 kWh – 100 times as much.

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