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The plug-in battery pack is only 48 volt, significantly LESS than the Prius main battery pack.
The plug-in pack is charged at night. When you run the car, the 48V pack runs through a DC to DC converter to upconvert the voltage to just a little higher than the Prius OEM battery pack - in effect, the lower voltage pack acts as a charger for the high-voltage pack.
By always having the Prius battery pack at a higher voltage, the car uses the electric motor more, and the gas engine less, improving fuel economy.
Since they are at different voltages, and different battery chemistries, regenerative braking cannot recharge the plug-in pack.
On the other hand, by using only a 48V system, cost of parts are greatly reduced, and this is the most affordable PHEV kit available.
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