The big ticket item at Toyota was the Prius. a full electric hybrid mid-size car which is now available to the Indian buyer. The Prius made waves around the globe when the first generation hybrid was launched in 2001. This car was based on the simple principle that no car completely utilises all the horsepower it makes to propel itself at all times. Power output varies depending on the load, so for instance on steep inclines the car may use all its power but on an expressway it would barely use 20-30 per cent of its power. Toyota managed to find a solution to this by combining an electric motor with a gasoline engine in what they call the Hybrid Synergy Drive.

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The Prius utilises a series parallel or split hybrid drivetrain using its 80PS electric motor as the primary source of propulsion. This electric motor derives its power from a sealed nickel-metal hydride battery. When the charge on the battery drops below a prescribed limit the 1.8-litre 98PS petrol engine comes to life, utilising a part of its power to propel the car while another part is diverted to charge the battery. Once the battery is fully charged propulsion is derived from the electric motor again.