Hybrid and electric cars have been the latest trend in automotive, but many are still skeptical about them. Battery lifespan and durability, troublesome charging and long hours charging; besides the efficiency of hybrid and electric cars, have become a boundary to potential owners. There’s also another option of going for clean diesel cars like the BMW 320d, which gives better low-end torque and better fuel consumption compared to old school fuel guzzling direct injection cars.

However, now hybrid and electric cars are becoming a good choice if you’re a tree hugger and don’t mind the missing of V6 and V8 engine sounds. Car manufacturers have improved charging time, and also provide long warranty for the battery pack to ensure that they’re lasting and safe to use. Now Toyota is going a step further by providing home battery chargers starting in 2012 so that buyers of PHEV Prii can fully take advantage of that plug in the front fender. I think that car manufacturers should’ve done this since the beginning.

The chargers come in two flavors: one for the garage and one for the exterior of your home, and will cost upwards of ¥200,000 ($2411) fully installed, making it quite a bit more than GM’s $2000 Voltec charging station. The good news for us all is that Toyota’s charger uses the same SAE J1772 plug found in the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf, so we’re hopefully just weeks away from the first-ever EV charger price wars. Now they’re not only available, but also available at a decent price.

SOURCE via Reuters