Leviton marketing new Prius charger

Leviton Manufacturing Co., a Melville electrical parts maker, has brought its new Toyota Prius electric car charger to market sooner than expected, and at a price one-third cheaper than its previous automotive charger for the Ford Focus.

The 16-amp, 240-volt home device, which Leviton says can fully charge a Prius in 1.5 hours, will be available within a few weeks with prices starting at $999, installed. The charger is for the 2012 model Prius Plug-in Hybrid.

Customers can get information at toyota.leviton.com, and they can schedule home installations through electricians certified by Leviton.

Leviton said its new Prius charger, adapted from its proprietary Evr-Green line, is twice as fast as the factory-supplied 120-volt cord set that comes with the Prius. It can be used with a plug-in cord or as a hard-wired console.

"Leviton has simplified the process of ordering a home charging station and arranging installation for Toyota customers," Rick LoFaso, a Toyota marketing executive, said in announcing the product.

Leviton first disclosed its Toyota charger plans in August. At that time it said it would also make a charger for the RAV4 EV in addition to the Prius. A Toyota spokesman said in August that it was too soon to say how many chargers Leviton might sell, because it depends on consumer response to the new electric vehicle models.

Privately held Leviton also makes electrical wiring devices, data connectivity solutions and lighting energy management systems.