The Future is Electric at A-1 Toyota

The first Toyota dealership in New England offers the best electric vehicles on the U.S. market. The 2022 lineup boasts significant improvements to all of Toyota’s electrified vehicles in all categories:

● Hybrid
● Plug-in Hybrid
● Fuel Cell Electric
● Battery electric

Toyota’s 2022 vehicles have won more awards than any other brand. The top-ranked spot includes accolades for level 2 charging and EPA data, boosted further by excellent fuel economy and range. In addition, the company is keeping its commitment to achieving carbon neutrality; net-zero harmful carbon dioxide emissions.

Consumers are learning what to look for in both Miles Per Gallon (MPG) ratings and Miles Per Gallon equivalent (MPGe). Of course, miles per gallon is how far a car can travel on one gallon of gas. Hybrids offer the power of electric-charged engines and incorporate the second fuel engines, which come with high fuel efficiency.

MPGe also refers to how far a driver can go between “re-fueling” by charging the electric battery.

There’s a fairly simple calculation automotive experts agree on, which states that a gallon of gasoline is equal to 33.7-kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity. So an electric vehicle that can go 100 miles on those 33.7 kWhs gets an MPG equivalency rating of 100 MPGe.

As with MPG, an easy rule of thumb is that the higher the number, the more efficiently the vehicle utilizes fuel, whether gasoline or electrical charge.

All-Electric Vehicles

Increasingly people who want to safeguard the environment are choosing all-electric vehicles (EVs) that run solely on electrically charged batteries. No gasoline is needed.

Toyota announced the expansion of EV vehicle production at two U.S. plants and the building of a $1.29 billion plant to manufacture batteries.

Plug-In Hybrid

A-1 Toyota has hybrids on hand so drivers can experience for themselves the seamless switch between the dual electric and gasoline engines while out on the road. During short commutes and start and stop traffic, the vehicle draws electricity from the charged battery. The gas engine takes over at higher typical highway driving speeds, delivering high fuel efficiency with low C02 emissions.

2022 Prius Prime

The Prius has long been a star among hybrid vehicles for offering excellent fuel economy. It also has many standard safety features, including a roomy cabin with five seats.

The hatchback has a gas-electric drivetrain rated at 121 horsepower. As a result, the EPA- estimated gas mileage is as high as 56 MPG combined. In EV mode, it delivers an EPA- estimated 25 miles.

All-wheel drive is available in A-1 Toyota’s offerings, and front-wheel drive is standard. Toyota optimized the battery for daily commuting. Providing more rear passenger space.

2022 RAV4 Prime

The RAV4 Prime has power to spare, boasting a combined output of 302 horsepower.

It’s also fast with a 5.7 second 0-60 time. Vehicles in that range are called “five-second” cars. Previously that coveted speed was only found in top-tier supercars. Instead, Toyota delivers it for drivers’ whether making short trips or long hauls.

It has an EPA rating of 40 MPG in the city, 36 MPG on the highway, and 42 miles all-electric with the 18.1 kWh battery and 94 MPGe combined.

Tax credits are still available for buying a new Toyota plug-in electric drive motor vehicle.
The credit amount available is based on the vehicle’s battery capacity.

2023 bZ4X

The “bZ” in the Toyota bZ4X means “beyond Zero.” Another example of Toyota’s commitment to building cars with zero emissions. It’s the company’s solution to making much sought- after electric SUVs.

The XLE front-wheel-drive model has an EPA estimated range of up to 252 miles. The front- wheel-drive electric motor generates 201 horsepower. The optional dual-motor all-wheel- drive model pushes output to 215 horsepower.

The bZ4X is available at Toyota dealerships nationwide, including New Haven’s A-1 Toyota. It is sure to become a favorite electric vehicle on the market.

Toyota is partnering with ChargePoint® and EVgo to make topping up even easier. Customers who buy or lease a new 2023 Toyota bz4X get a year of unlimited complimentary charging at all EVgo-owned and operated charging stations.

Get a New Charge out of Driving

More than 30,000 public charging stations are now offering both Level 2 and DC Fast Charging.

The miles per charge (how many miles the vehicle can go on a single, full charge) are rising as more drivers seek to make almost any trip without using gasoline. A battery fully charged to 150 kW offers more than 100 miles per charge.

A hybrid recharge can be done at home with an available 120-volt outlet. The low voltage charging is called trickling electricity and generally takes nine hours or so to complete the battery charge. Increased outlet voltage is required to reach L2 charging at 208-240 volts.

The hybrid’s design also captures the vehicle’s momentum and converts it into electricity
that recharges the battery. That process is called regeneration.

Attractive Rebates and Tax Credits

There’s a federal tax credit available for buying or leasing your new Toyota electric vehicle. Other manufacturers have maxed out available qualified sales. However, drivers buying or leasing a new Toyota EV can still qualify for up to $7,500 in federal tax credit. (Note the tax credit only goes as high as your tax burden for the year. If that falls under $7,500, the remaining tax credit amount cannot be recovered in a future year.

Be aware that tax credits for Toyota EVs are set to gradually phase out through 2023, so there is a time limit to consider.

The experts at A-1 Toyota can help you understand how the tax credit and rebate may work for you.

The Connecticut Hydrogen and Electric Automobile Purchase Rebate (CHEAPR) has incentives for drivers to buy or lease an eligible vehicle from a licensed Connecticut dealership.

There’s a range of incentives from around $2,250 to $9,500 depending on the price and type of vehicle and benefits included in the Rebate + New Incentive. The Rebate+ program provides further incentives to people who rely on qualifying state and federal programs such as Medicaid, HUD vouchers, or the state Energy Assistance Program.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection provides the following information for consumers:

Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)

A BEV is a vehicle that obtains all its power from energy stored in rechargeable battery packs. BEVs use electric motors and do not use an internal combustion engine, therefore burning no gasoline.
MSRP Cap: $42,000
Standard Rebate: $2,250
Rebate+ New Incentive: $2,000

Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs)

A PHEV is a vehicle that can be driven solely on electricity, powered by its internal rechargeable battery. It also includes an internal combustion engine or electric generator powered by gasoline to extend the range of the vehicle.
MSRP Cap: $42,000
Standard Rebate: $750
Rebate+ New Incentive: $1,500

Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs)

An FCEV is a vehicle that is fueled with hydrogen but emits no pollutants, only water, and heat. A fuel cell located in the car converts hydrogen to electricity which powers the electric motor to drive the vehicle.
MSRP Cap: $60,000
Standard Rebate: $7,500
Rebate+ New Incentive: $2,000

Learn More by Visiting A-1 Toyota

Visit A-1 Toyota to learn more about the cutting-edge electric or hybrid vehicles ready for the road now. You can also test-drive a few to get a feeling for the performance of the different vehicles the way you like to drive.