A Lexus Hybrid Electric combines two power sources: a gas and an electric engine. When driving, the required energy is produced by one engine or the other, or by both working together.

The intelligent Lexus Hybrid Electric system seamlessly controls the shift between engines according to your driving conditions. This allows for optimal energy efficiency, reduction of emissions and unmatched performances. As you drive, your Lexus Hybrid Electric recharges its battery by itself so you do not need to plug it in!

Both gas and electric engines have their benefits. Whereas gas engines are most efficient at constant speeds, electric engines perform better when accelerating or at cruising speeds. Lexus Hybrid Electrics perfectly combine the benefits of both engines.

Lexus Hybrid Electrics are all equipped with a Power Control Unit. This component automatically switches between the engines or engages both, according to your driving conditions, which it continuously monitors. This way, you can fully enjoy your hybrid driving experience.

In conventional gas-powered vehicles, excess energy is not recovered. However, Lexus Hybrid Electrics recover this excess energy, which is then used to recharge the battery. The regenerative braking system also captures kinetic energy lost during braking and uses it towards recharging the battery. This allows for optimized fuel efficiency as well as reduction of emissions.

At Lexus, safety has always been a top priority and it has underlined every innovation we've put forth. Our Lexus Hybrid Electrics are no exception; they are all designed with the same rigorous standards as our gas-powered models. For added safety, the battery pack and high voltage components are well isolated and protected.

With its two engines - a gas engine and an electric engine - a hybrid electric vehicle does not continuously use fuel. A hybrid vehicle is therefore efficient and reduces CO2 emissions. The combination between gas and electricity allows for unmatched performances across all speed ranges, without changing your driving habits. Indeed, Lexus Hybrid Electrics automatically switches from one engine to the other, according to your driving conditions.

Lexus Hybrid Drive can run solely on electric power at lower speeds, which reduces emissions while offering a high energy efficiency. Competitor systems generally have smaller electric engines which do not produce enough power for the vehicle to have an electric-only mode. Rather, the electric motor can only work alongside a gas engine.

As the driver, you do not need to switch between the gas and electric engines while driving. The intelligent Power Control Unit takes care of that for you by monitoring your driving conditions and seamlessly controlling the flow of power between the two engines. Whether you're starting up, accelerating, driving at cruising speed, decelerating or braking, the Power Control Unit makes the best choice for you so you can make the most out of every experience behind the wheel.

You do not need to charge the battery of a Lexus Self-Charging Hybrid Electric by plugging your vehicle in. In fact, the battery charges itself automatically while you drive, recovering excess energy to do so.

However, just like any gas-powered vehicle, the battery can completely uncharge if the vehicle is not used for an extended period of time, even though this is very unlikely. If this does happen, the gas engine will start your car and the battery will recharge while you drive.

The electric autonomy of a Lexus Hybrid Electric greatly depends on the level of battery charge, the driving conditions and how heavily the vehicle is loaded.

Like with any type of vehicle, whether it's hybrid, electric or gas-powered, it is important to be cautious on the road in extreme weather conditions. Always avoid driving if there are severe weather warnings.

No. Lexus Self-Charging Hybrid Electric vehicles never need plugging in. The vehicle's battery recharges as you drive by using the excess energy produced as well as energy from the regenerative braking system.

Lexus Self-Charging Hybrid Electrics are covered by the same comprehensive warranty as our gas-powered luxury vehicles. To this, we added an 8-year/160,000 km Hybrid Component Warranty as well as a 10-year/240,000 km High Voltage Battery Warranty.

Our focus on safety extends to safety professionals. That’s why we created Emergency Response Guides to assist first responders and to help them act accordingly in the event of an emergency or collision with a Lexus Hybrid Electric vehicle.