2007 Toyota Prius Owners Manual - Page 27

Toyota hybrid system Toyota hybrid system combines a gasoline engine and electric motor power to improve the fuel economy and minimize the emissions as well as to provide better power performance than the ordinary gasoline−powered vehicles. Depending on the driving condition, the vehicle runs on the best combination of; Toyota hybrid system operating condition Basic operations are described below. Besides, Toyota hybrid system performs various controls depending on the operating condition: The "Energy Monitor" screen tells you which power is used currently. D Gasoline engine power D Electric motor power generated by the gasoline engine 12p059b D Electric motor power of the hybrid battery Furthermore, the energy is efficiently used in the following ways: D When stopping the vehicle, the gasoline engine is automatically stopped. D When applying the brakes or decelerating, electricity is converted from the turning force of the wheels and stored in the hybrid battery. (This is called regenerative brake.) Since the battery is charged by the gasoline engine as needed, it does not require charging from an outside source like an electric vehicle. Electric power in use When starting or backing up, etc., the vehicle runs on electric power from hybrid battery, because the gasoline engine efficiency is low. 10