The leading automobile manufacturer, Toyota might be the first to market with a 2009 Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) vehicle. According to Popular Mechanics, the experience of 2009 Toyota Prius PHEV is much the same as the current Prius.

The 2009 Toyota Prius PHEV prototype still uses the current nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries, which are far too large and not nearly efficient enough. Furthermore, the electric motor can generate 50kW, which combined with the more powerful pack, allows the Prius prototype to reach 62 mph on electric-only power while the current cars can only hit about 25 mph before the gasoline engine cuts in.

“Toyota has the knowledge and experience with nickel metal hydride. And we have to use the battery we know best, in terms of overall performance,” said Yoshitaka Asakura, Project General Manager of Toyota’s Hybrid Vehicle System Engineering Development Division.

The cool 2009 Toyota Prius is expected to launch as a plug-in but with NiMH batteries while it can get all the way up to 50mph before taking its first sip of gasoline.