HEVs seamlessly combine the power of petrol engines with the efficiency of electric motors. In a HEV, the battery recharges while the vehicle is being driven, with the support of the vehicle’s petrol internal combustion engine.
HEVs use both a petrol engine and an electric motor, with the battery recharging itself while you drive, no plugging in required. PHEVs have a larger battery that you can recharge by plugging in, allowing short trips on electric power before the petrol engine takes over for longer drives in Hybrid mode. BEVs run entirely on electricity and need to be plugged in to charge, offering a smooth and quiet performance.
In a HEV, the battery is recharged while you drive with the help of its internal petrol combustion engine. During deceleration or when braking, the electric motor continues to generate power, storing it in the vehicle’s battery to keep it charged. When accelerating or cruising at high speeds, the petrol engine turns on automatically for extra power and responsive performance when you need it. It means your HEV is always ready to go without ever needing to be plugged in.
The high-voltage Hybrid Electric 'traction battery' won’t run out of charge, as it recharges while it drives with the support of the vehicle’s petrol internal combustion engine.
During your Toyota Service AdvantageTS1 period, all servicing costs are capped at the same price for both Hybrid Electric and conventional models. However, once this period expires, you may need to factor in additional servicing requirements, which could increase the annual cost of your service.
No. A Toyota HEV can only operate in electric mode when petrol is in the tank.
The life of a HEV and its traction battery will vary depending on usage and environmental factors. For HEVs bought before 1 January 2019, we’ll cover your Hybrid Electric traction battery for eight years from date of first delivery or 160,000km, whichever comes first. For HEVs bought after 1 January 2019, we’ll cover your Hybrid Electric traction battery for up to 10 years, provided you undertake your annual inspection as part of routine maintenance according to the vehicle logbook.
No. HEVs can come with different drivetrains such as All-Wheel Drive and Front-Wheel Drive systems. These vary in size, power output and other performance factors depending on the model.
PHEVs bridge the gap between traditional Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs).They combine an engine that runs on petrol, an electric motor and a larger battery for longer, electric-only driving which can be recharged using an AC cable.
A PHEV automatically manages the switch between EV and Hybrid modes for you. It prioritises electric power when the battery has charge, especially at lower speeds or for short trips, and seamlessly engages the petrol engine when the battery runs low, or for longer journeys. This ensures the most efficient use of energy without the driver needing to do anything.
To get the most from a PHEV, regular charging unlocks its best benefits – longer drives in quiet EV mode, lower running costs, and fewer trips to the petrol station. But don’t worry if charging isn’t always possible. A PHEV can still run on its petrol engine, just like a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), so you can refuel at any service station and keep going as usual.
Charging a PHEV is as simple as charging a smartphone, and you don't necessarily need to install special hardware in your home to get started. As long as you have access to a standard power outlet near where you normally park at home, you can use the supplied Mode 2 portable charger (also known as a '3-pin' charger) to top up the battery. For extra peace of mind, added convenience and a faster charge, you can also opt to install a dedicated AC home charger.
A PHEV contains a petrol engine, an electric motor and a larger battery (the traction battery) for electric-only driving. It’s intended to be operated as an electric vehicle for the most part, with Hybrid Electric driving as a back up if you run out of charge. A BEV does not contain a petrol engine and uses a battery-powered electric motor only, which means you must charge it in order to drive it.
Yes. When the battery runs low, the petrol engine can help recharge it while you drive. However, this only provides a small boost – it’s designed to support, not replace, external charging. To enjoy the best performance, range, and efficiency, it’s highly recommended to plug in regularly.
In addition to the standard warranty inclusions for every Toyota vehicle, enjoy up to 10 years of traction battery warranty coverage for a complete peace of mindW14. Conditions apply.
No, the Toyota PHEV system is designed to run with fuel in the vehicle. This is because it’s designed to utilise the engine (even in EV mode) to support driving conditions such as heavy acceleration and steep hill climbs, or due to the battery temperature.
No, maintenance would be just like a Toyota Hybrid Electric vehicle.
For PHEVs, fuel may remain in the tank for a long time and undergo changes in quality depending on how the vehicle is used. To maintain fuel quality, it is recommended to occasionally top up with fresh petrol.
A high-voltage battery stores energy. The inverter supplies power to an electric motor that drives the wheels, and regenerative braking recovers energy when you slow down. Most BEVs use a single-speed drive for smooth, quiet acceleration, with no multi-speed gearbox or engine oil to maintain.
Charging time varies by charger type, battery size, state of charge and temperature. AC home charging typically takes hours, which suits overnight top-ups. DC fast charging can add a substantial amount of range in minutes at compatible public stations, ideal for longer trips.
If your BEV runs out of charge, it will gradually lose power and eventually stop, just like a petrol car would if it ran out of fuel. Unlike petrol vehicles, there’s no reserve, so you’ll need to recharge before you can continue driving. For this reason, it’s important to plan your trips ahead and keep an eye on your battery level.
If you are unable to charge your vehicle and it stalls, you’ll need to contact your Roadside Assistance provider* for towing to your nearest public charging station or Toyota Dealer.
*If using a roadside service that is not Toyota Roadside Assist, be sure to refer to the Owner's Manual for important information about necessary towing precautions.
Charging costs vary depending on where and how you charge. Home off-peak and public AC charging are generally the most cost-effective options, while public DC fast charging is usually more expensive. If you have solar power, you can reduce home charging costs to nearly zero, and some public chargers even offer free charging.
Most public chargers range between $0.30-$0.70 per kwh based on various factors. For example, the All-Electric Toyota bZ4X has a gross battery capacity of 71.4 kWh, with 64.0 kWh of usable energy. Based on electricity rates between $0.30 and $0.70 per kWh, a full charge typically costs between $19.20 and $44.80.
For advice on home wall chargers and the best setup for your Toyota BEV, speak with your Toyota Dealer.
Hybrid Electric Vehicles combine a petrol engine with an electric motor and do not plug in, which helps lower fuel use and emissions. Battery Electric Vehicles run only on a high-voltage battery and electric motor, plug in to charge at home or public chargers, and have no tailpipe emissions.
Toyota designs BEV batteries for long service life and tests them extensively. Coverage includes up to 10 years/unlimited kilometres for manufacturing defects, excluding capacity retention. There’s also a separate capacity-retention support to at least 70% for 8 years or 160,000km, whichever comes firstW14. Actual life varies with use and charging habits.
Most Toyota BEVs use a single-speed reduction drive rather than a multi-speed gearbox. The electric motor delivers usable torque across a wide speed range, which supports smooth, quiet acceleration and fewer moving parts for dependable performance. Toyota packages a reduction gear transaxle integrated in the eAxle for compactness and efficiency.
Yes. A Toyota BEV has no engine oil or exhaust system, so there are fewer routine service items than a petrol car. Scheduled maintenance should still cover items such as tyres and brakes.
A fuel cell is an electrochemical energy conversion device that creates a chemical reaction between Hydrogen and oxygen from the atmosphere to generate electricity. It does not burn or compress Hydrogen, the catalyst within the fuel cell generates the electricity to drive the vehicle.
The Mirai chassis is designed around the fuel cell system to protect components in a collision and is equipped with safety sensors to detect potential Hydrogen leaks. If a collision is detected the hydrogen tank valves are shut off. The Mirai’s Hydrogen high-pressure tanks have a three-layer structure consisting of:
Refuelling the Toyota Mirai at a commercial station takes approximately 3-5 mins from empty to full. Infrared communication between the Mirai and the refuelling station such as hydrogen tank information, temperature and pressure details are provided to the station to develop an efficient flow rate to allow for fast refuelling time. There is only one Toyota owned hydrogen refueller in Altona, Victoria. The Toyota Mirai is currently only available in limited numbers for business fleet to lease.
The Toyota Mirai is Toyota’s only Hydrogen Electric Vehicle and is currently only available in limited numbers for business fleet to lease. Currently, there is only one Toyota owned hydrogen refueller in Melbourne, Australia.
A hydrogen fuel cell uses the chemical energy of hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity without C02 tailpipe emissions. In fact, after the chemical reaction creates electricity, the only tailpipe emissions are water vapour and oxygen.
While all use electricity, the way they source it is different. HEVs use a petrol engine, and also create electricity from harnessing their own momentum (generated by the internal combustion engine) and storing it in batteries until it can be used.
Hydrogen powered vehicles create electricity through a chemical reaction in the hydrogen fuel cell, directly powering the electric motor when needed.
A BEV uses a battery-powered electric motor only and has fewer moving parts, which makes it more efficient. Unlike an internal combustion engine found in petrol cars (which generates power across a power band) the BEV’s electric motor(s) responds right away when the driver presses the accelerator, generating maximum torque from a complete standstill.
If your BEV runs out of charge, it will gradually lose power and eventually stop, just like a petrol car would if it ran out of fuel. Unlike petrol vehicles, there’s no reserve, so you’ll need to recharge before you can continue driving. For this reason, it’s important to plan your trips ahead and keep an eye on your battery level.
If you are unable to charge your vehicle and it stalls, you’ll need to contact your Roadside Assistance provider* for towing to your nearest public charging station or Toyota Dealer.
*If using a roadside service that is not Toyota Roadside Assist, be sure to refer to the Owner's Manual for important information about necessary towing precautions.
If your PHEV’s battery runs low, the petrol engine automatically kicks in and the car switches to Hybrid mode. It continues to drive while self-charging, giving you the range you need to complete your journey until you can recharge.
PHEVs have smaller batteries than BEVs, so they charge faster using a home or public charger. BEVs have larger batteries that take longer to recharge but offer a longer driving range on electric power alone. Both can use standard AC chargers, while BEVs can also use DC fast chargers for a quicker top-up when you’re on the go.
For long distance drives, how often you need to recharge depends on your vehicle and driving habits. BEVs rely entirely on battery power, so you’ll need to plan stops at charging stations based on your range. PHEVs can run on electric power for shorter trips, then switch to their petrol engine for longer journeys, so charging is less critical but still recommended to enjoy maximum EV benefits.
You can charge your BEV or PHEV in a few simple ways. Most owners install a home charger for the fastest and most convenient daily charging. Ask your local Dealer about installing one via JET ChargeC11 at an additional costM1.
You can also use a standard household outlet for slower overnight charging. On the go, public charging stations are widely available, offering both AC and DC fast charging options to top up your battery when needed.
Several factors can affect electric driving range by influencing how much energy your vehicle consumes:
The Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) is a global standard test procedure for Electrified vehicles. It measures factors like emissions, fuel consumption, and electric driving range in a controlled, laboratory environment. Not all Toyota Electrified models have been tested using WLTP measurements.
The NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) is a laboratory test that assesses the fuel economy, electricity consumption and CO2 tailpipe emission production of factory-new vehicles. It tests the vehicle with simulated environmental conditions to ensure it can handle Australian roads and conditions. The drive range from this laboratory test will vary depending on the Toyota model.
The actual driving range is likely to be significantly lower than what a WLTP or NEDC laboratory test cycle would produce. This is because unlike in a laboratory, the range of your electric vehicle will be impacted by real-life driving conditions such as road surface quality, driving style, weather, temperatures, and several other nuanced factors.
The range that appears on your vehicle's Multi Information Display (MID) is a prediction only. It's based on your previous driving style and charging habits as well as the use of climate control and the outside temperature. This range is not a guarantee, it will vary depending on changes during your trips such as road surface quality, driving style, weather and temperatures.
Both BEVs and PHEVs are designed to handle a wide range of weather conditions. However, very hot or cold temperatures can temporarily affect battery performance and reduce driving range. Using climate control also draws extra power from the battery. To help maintain efficiency, try to pre-condition your vehicle while it’s plugged in, this warms or cools the cabin before you start driving without using driving range.