With the cost of fuel at an all-time high, many folks are looking to get into a hybrid or electric vehicle. However, the world of plug-in hybrid cars offers a great middle-ground for those still a little afraid of range anxiety associated with an EV. After all, if you manage to kill an EV battery, you can’t just walk to the nearest gas station and pick up some electricity.

EVs are pretty foolproof in that light. However, a plug-in hybrid offers a backup plan while still netting some ridiculous fuel efficiency numbers. In this case, it’s over 130 mpg equivalent (MPGe).

The 2022 Toyota Prius Prime is the most efficient hybrid on the market

According to the EPA, the 2022 Toyota Prius Prime is capable of achieving up to 133 MPGe when using both battery power and gasoline. Remarkably, even if the rechargeable battery is run dry, the 2022 Prius Prime still manages a combined fuel economy average of 54 mpg on the gasoline engine alone.

On a full charge, the electric-only range of the 2022 Toyota Prius Prime is 25 miles. Though that sounds mighty underwhelming compared to fully electric vehicles, it’s pretty decent for a plug-in hybrid. For many folks, their commute to and from work wouldn’t surpass 25 miles. So, those with short commutes can charge their vehicle overnight and rarely use gas.

Thanks to its combined 54 mpg rating outside of electric and 133 MPGe rating combined, the 2022 Prius Prime has a remarkable range of 640 miles on a single tank of fuel. That is, of course, assuming it starts with a full charge. However, it’s still super impressive. That’s enough range to drive from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and back and still have about 100 miles of range left.

In total, the EPA states that this impressive fuel economy will save you over $9,000 in fuel costs over the course of five years compared to the national average. Better still, with the current average cost of gas and electricity, the EPA estimates that driving the 2022 Toyota Prius Prime 25 miles costs only 81 cents. That’s thanks to it only requiring electricity. A standard gasoline engine vehicle that gets around 25 mpg would cost over $5 to travel the same distance. Of course, that is considering the current massively inflated price of gas.

Why choose a plug-in hybrid?

Plug-in hybrids offer a happy middle ground between an electric vehicle and a standard hybrid. While a standard hybrid uses regenerative braking and the engine to charge its onboard battery, a plug-in hybrid does not. However, a standard Hybrid’s battery-only range is typically only a mile or two.

One great advantage of a plug-in hybrid is that it does not require you to have a full-blown EV charger. The 2022 Prius Prime, for example, can charge its battery from a standard 110-volt wall outlet in under six hours. So, you can fully charge your Prius Prime at home for as little as a dollar or two per night. Of course, that’s depending on the cost of your electricity.

Furthermore, some plug-in hybrids come with charging bonuses and perks so that you can charge for free or at discounted rates on public EV chargers. Given the small battery, too, plug-in hybrid models charge very quickly on higher output chargers. Ultimately, if you’re looking to use electric power to reduce fuel costs but aren’t ready to commit to a full-blown EV, a plug-in hybrid like the 2022 Prius Prime is a perfect choice!