Toyota Expands PHV Charging Service in Japan

Toyota City, Japan, November 11, 2014―Toyota Motor Corporation has launched an expanded plug-in hybrid charging service that allows "Prius PHV" owners to use chargers managed by Nippon Charge Service, LLC (NCS) throughout Japan. The new optional fee-based service, PHV Drive Support Plus (PDS Plus), will commence on December 1, and Toyota started accepting applications today.

As of the end of October, NCS has been working on creating a network of approximately 700 standard chargers, with the network expected to grow to 5,500 chargers during the 2015 fiscal year and further expansion planned thereafter.

Use of the expanded network will require a monthly membership fee of 324 yen and a charging fee of 1.62 yen per minute when using NCS chargers (both prices include consumption tax). To demonstrate the convenience of the system, membership fees and charging fees will be waived for the first six months of membership.

Toyota Motor Corporation, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Motors Corporation, and the Development Bank of Japan Inc. jointly established NCS on May 26 with the purpose of developing of a charging infrastructure network that can be used with a single membership. PDS Plus will enable Prius PHV owners to use that network and enjoy the full benefits of the Prius PHV's excellent fuel efficiency and convenience by charging their vehicles away from home.

Toyota's existing PHV Drive Support (PDS) service, launched in January 2012 to coincide with the launch of the Prius PHV, allows use of approximately 1,500 standard chargers currently installed at Toyota dealers. Membership provides a number of convenient benefits free of charge for three years, including charging at Toyota dealers and the ability to check remaining battery charge or search for charging stations using a smartphone. Now, with the launch of PDS Plus, Toyota has made the decision to keep the basic PDS service free of charge in the fourth year of ownership¹.

Toyota is committed to expanding sales of the Prius PHV to support the creation of a convenient low-carbon, smart mobility society.