Series Parallel Hybrid System

Driving the wheels with the electric motors and the gas/petrol engine, yielding electricity via the generator to self-charge the battery

With the Series Parallel Hybrid System, it is possible to drive the wheels using the dual sources of power (electric motors and/or gas/petrol engine), as well as to generate electricity while running on the electric motors.
The system runs the car on power from the electric motors only, or by using both the gas/petrol engine and the electric motors together, depending on the driving conditions. Since the generator is integrated into the system, the battery can be charged while the car is running.

The basic components of the system are the electric motors, the gas/petrol engine, the generator, the power split device and the power control unit (inverter/converter). The power split device transfers part of the power produced by the gas/petrol engine to drive the wheels, and the rest to the generator to either provide electric power for the electric motors or to recharge the battery.

This system takes advantage of the energy-efficient electric motors when the car runs in the low speed range, and calls on the gas/petrol engine when the car runs in the higher speed range. In other words, the system can control the dual sources of power for optimum energy-efficient operation under any driving conditions.

Toyota has incorporated other cutting edge technologies to improve and develop the powertrain, the generating and control systems. As a result, we are offering many benefits never before possible with a conventional powertrain.