As compiled by Toyota Motors USA and Handy Toyota of St. Albans, VT, a new 2012 Toyota Prius hybrid and used Toyota Prius dealer in the greater Burlington, VT area, here is a list of frequently asked questions regarding the upcoming 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, the all-new, electric variant of the world renowned Toyota Prius hybrid.  Featuring an electric motor to compliment the Hybrid Synergy Drive's excellent 52 mpg gas engine, up to 15 miles of zero emissions, gas-free driving, and a charge time as low as 1.5 hours, the Toyota Prius Plug-in is sure to be another win for the Prius world when it hits our St. Albans, VT Toyota dealership in the spring of 2012.

Check out these frequently asked questions or FAQs below and if you have any further information or would like to get on the waiting list to purchase one of these exciting new vehicles, use our Prius Plug-in info & order form or call us toll-free at 888-352-5749 today.  You can also check out our blog for more on the Prius PHV or subscribe today.

Will I be registering to buy the Toyota Prius Plug-in on Handy's info page?
Not exactly.  The image of the Prius Plug-in shown on our Prius Plug-in info page is in a prototypical stages, meaning by the time the spring 2012 release date arrives alterations could have been made.  The vehicle you see is a demonstration model for use in testing the performance of the advanced lithium-ion batter technology as well as to gather user feedback.  Be sure to contact us by using our Prius Plug-in contact form for Prius PHV updates of any kind.

How does the Prius Plug-in work?
One of the best features of the new 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in in St. Albans, VT and perhaps a misconception as well is that you do not need a special charging station to drive gasoline-free.  To charge the Prius Plug-in you simply connect the power cord that comes with the vehicle to the Prius Plug-in itself, then connect the other end (or the "prongs") to any regular 120V household outlet.  For your information, a "normal 120V outlet" is any power source you would normally plug something like a hairdryer, television, computer, etc. into.  If you should run out of electricity while driving, the Prius Plug-in switches over to the tried-and-true Hybrid Synergy Drive engine (full hybrid mode) and, just like a regular Prius, still achieves excellent mileage, the likes of which still can't be beat!

What are some of the benefits of the Toyota Prius Plug-in?
Since the Prius Plug-in has a full EV mode (electric vehicle, e.g. no gasoline use) you'll be able to make a large number of your daily trips without using even an ounce of gasoline.  Since the Prius Plug-in is built on the platform of an already great hybrid, if you run out of electricity you're still likely to get upwards of 475 miles to a single tank (depending on your driving habits).  Finally, the Prius Plug-in and its owner benefit from the rapid charging times shown in testing:  the Prius Plug-in can charge in as little as three hours with the standard 120V charging cord, or you can purchase an upgraded level 2 charging kit from Leviton that takes only 1.5 hours as its a 240V power source.

Where can I find out more about the Prius Plug-in?
Thanks to Handy Toyota of St. Albans, VT's extensive knowledge of all things Toyota and our constant perusal of all news sources, you have found a prime spot to get news already!  Email us at any time and let us know you want to be up to date on all things Prius Plug-in.  You can also view our blog where you'll find up to date information whenever news is released or, better yet, subscribe to our blog and get email updates when new information is posted.

Not interested in more Handy Toyota news or maybe you've gone through all of our online offerings?  Check out some Prius Plug-in information straight from the horse's mouth by going to the following Toyota Motors websites:

Toyota ESQ Communications
PriusChat.com
Ask an Expert on Facebook

What kind of changes to my electricity bill can I expect?
The 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in draws around one kilowatt and takes approximately three hours to fully charge (from a depleted battery with a standard 120-volt outlet).  Unfortunately we cannot tell you exactly how much this will cost because of the major fluctuations from company to company.  Depending on where you live and which electric provider you subscribe to, these rates may change.  Also, some people may only need to drive five miles a day while others may drive 60 miles a day, thereby requiring several charges per day; factors such as these and many others can and will affect energy consumption and your electricity bills.

So as not to leave you hanging entirely, check out Handy Toyota blog team member Chris Dugan's Test drive:  the 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in from back in November of 2011.  In his blog, Chris mentions current estimates based on charging habits in California (where energy is much more costly than in VT) the charging cost was around 45 cents per full Prius Plug-in charge.  While this is by means a guarantee this gives you a ballpark estimate of how little the cost per charge is.

Where and when will be the Prius Plug-in be available?
Starting around spring 2012 the Prius Plug-in will be available in the following states:

• Arizona
• California
• Connecticut
• Hawaii
• Maine
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Virginia
• Washington

Availability will open up nationwide sometime in the spring time of 2013 as of now.  Please note, Hawaii is not eligible for online ordering; please visit the Toyota Hawaii site for more information on this.

If I don't live in a "launch state" can I still buy a Prius Plug-in?
Of course you can!  The only catch is that you will need to order, purchase, and pick-up the Prius Plug-in from one of the aforementioned launch states.  One thing worth mentioning however is that by the time the first Prius Plug-in is sold in any state all Toyota dealerships in all 50 states will be trained on servicing and repairing them!

I want to be one of the first to own a Prius Plug-in--what should I do?
Well there's a simple answer for that, and it's a sad one:  if you didn't use Toyota's Priority Registration form, you may have to wait until the complete release date in 2013.  Only customers who have registered using the online order system will be able to place priority orders (while quantities last).  If you choose not to register you'll have to wait until availability increases.  If you waited and still want one, fill out our Prius Plug-in contact form and have us put you on the Handy's waiting list today.

After I register, when will I be able to place the actual order online?
Towards the end of 2011, Toyota Motors USA's customer service team called individual Priority Registration customers and asked them how intent on buying they actually were (this was well after the initial opening of the registration and after the close thereof in the autumn of 2011).  At this point a second thinning of the group occured if you will; folks who really wanted to buy the 2012 Prius Plug-in upon the initial spring 2012 release were kept on a second calling list and those who decided against it were removed.  Following this, a final round of calls occured where folks could once again be removed from the Prius PHV purchase list or decide once and for all that yes they wanted a new electric Prius Plug-in hybrid.  If this was the case they were given their choice of dealers from the 13 launch states and the rest was handed to us, the Toyota dealerships in the greater Burlington, VT area.

For your reference, two orders did in fact come through here at Handy Toyota of St. Albans, VT!  Though due to confidentiality reasons we cannot let you know who these people are obviously, we want to thank the customers for both choosing Handy Toyota as your Toyota dealership in VT and for getting involved with the electric vehicle craze, one that is sure to be a strengthening trend in years to come!

When will I receive my new 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in?
The first delivery dates for the Prius PHV are estimated to be around spring time of 2012.  Toyota and Handy Toyota will have more specific time frames as the release date gets closer.

Do I need to choose a Toyota dealership right now?
Though you will only be able to buy the Toyota Prius Plug-in from a franchised Toyota dealer within one of the 13 launch states like Handy Toyota of St. Albans, VT, originally during Priority Registration you did not have to select a Toyota dealer.  Now that the official buyers and orders have been selected and placed, if you were to have ordered one you would have had to decide where you wanted to pick up the car.

Is or was the online reservation necessary?  Can't I just wait to purchase a new Prius Plug-in?
Since many dealers are likely to have limited quantities early on, it is highly recommended that those of you who really know you want a new Prius Plug-in would have had to use the online registration method.  But to repeat, if you missed the Priority Registration period and still really want a Prius Plug-in, don't give up!  Use our Prius Plug-in contact form to let us know if you're looking for information or to buy - sooner or later Handy Toyota of St. Albans will, as always, do what's needed to earn your business!