All your electrified questions answered

A Hybrid Electric car is a vehicle that sits at the crossroads of the present and future. Combining both petrol engine technology together with batteries and electric motors to generate more power and increase efficiency on both ends.

Hybrid Electric Vehicles combine the efficiency of petrol engines with the instant torque of electric motors, giving you more range, and more excitement in every drive. HEVs bolsters the power generated by the petrol engine with the instant torque of the electric motors while also recharging their batteries by recapturing energy being created by the petrol engine.

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 Hybrid Electric Vehicle and a Hybrid Electric traction battery varies based on usage and environmental factors. For HEVs bought before 1 January 2019, you’ll get eight years or 160,000km of coverage for your Hybrid Electric traction battery from the date of first delivery. For HEVs bought after 1 January 2019, you’ll get up to 10 years of coverage for your Hybrid Electric traction battery, provided you undertake your annual inspection as part of routine maintenance as suggested by 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.

Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (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 battery that is larger than that found in HEVs. This larger battery enables longer, electric-only driving compared to HEVs. Additionally, PHEVs can be recharged using an AC or DC fast-charging cable.

A PHEV automatically manages the switch between EV and Hybrid modes for you. It prioritises electric power when the battery has sufficient charge, and seamlessly engages the petrol engine when needed. 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 – supporting electric driving for shorter commutes 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 conventional 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.

  In addition to the standard warranty inclusions for every Toyota vehicle, enjoy up to 10 years of traction battery warranty coverageW14.Conditions apply.  

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 that’s delivered through an inverter to an electric motor, turning the wheels. When you brake or decelerate, regenerative braking helps recharge the battery. While BEVs typically use a single-speed drive for smooth, quiet acceleration, their EV transmission still requires routine inspection and maintenance in line with Toyota’s service schedule.

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.

  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 is still critical in order to cover motor and battery health as well as tyres, brakes and fluids.

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.

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.  

If your PHEV’s battery runs low, the petrol engine automatically activates and the car switches to Hybrid mode, giving you the range you need to complete your journey until you can recharge.

PHEVs have smaller batteries than BEVs so they typically require less energy to charge to full capacity, whether at home or at a public charging station. BEVs have larger batteries that take longer to recharge but offer a longer driving range on electric power alone. Both PHEVs and BEVs are compatible with standard AC charging and DC fast charging for added convenience.

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.

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 active 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.