The Toyota’s new Prius Plug-in delivers distinct advantages in terms of its extended all-electric driving range, exceptionally low CO2 emissions and, when running in full hybrid mode, excellent fuel economy. Not only do these contribute to strong environmental profile, they also support competitive day-to-day running costs for motorists. As Prius Plug-in arrives in the UK, there is no other car on the market that exactly matches the benefits offered by its Hybrid Synergy Drive full hybrid powertrain: it offers the near-silent, zero emissions performance of an electric vehicle, being able to run on its lithium-ion battery for around 15.5 miles and at speeds up to 51mph. When battery charge runs low, the car’s full hybrid system – which includes a highly efficient 1.8-litre petrol engine – takes over, so the driver doesn’t have to worry about whether the car has enough power to reach its destination. Compared to the Vauxhall Ampera, which uses a petrol engine as a “range extender” to support the electric motor, Prius Plug-in offers a higher specification, more seats on board and can save almost £2,000 on costs over three years/60,000 miles with its greater range and quicker battery charging time. The table below shows how the Toyota cost benefits stack up. From motoring