Toyota has just announced that they have developed a plug-in hybrid vehicle and that the automaker will become the first automaker to have it certified for use in Japan.
The Toyota Plug-in HV combines a gasoline powered engine with an electric motor, just like the current Prius. The battery capacity has been increased which gives the vehicle a longer electric-motor-only cruising range. The car is capable of traveling eight miles solely on electric power, which is about four times more than the Prius.
The Plug-in HV can reach speeds up to 62 mph under electric power and requires 1.5 hours to recharge at 150 volts (three or four hours at 100 volts).
The car is based on the Prius and looks nearly identical.
Toyota is going to test eight of the plug-in hybrids in Japan. Toyota also plans on conducting tests in the U.S. and Europe.
PRESS RELEASE:
Japan Certifies Toyota Plug-in Hybrid for Public-road Tests
Tokyo - TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announced today that it has developed a plug-in hybrid vehicle and become the first manufacturer to have such a vehicle certified for use on public roads in Japan.
The TOYOTA Plug-in HV - certified for public road-use by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport - uses, like earlier TMC-developed hybrid vehicles, both a gasoline-powered internal combustion engine and an electric motor. But increased battery capacity gives it a longer electric-motor-only cruising range and a battery-charging device allows users to replenish the batteries using household electricity. These features enable the vehicle to run more often in gasoline-free, electric-only mode, such as on short trips in city driving. The resulting fuel efficiency improvements mean lower CO2 emissions and less fossil fuel consumption and, therefore, less pollution. Also, charging the battery with less-expensive nighttime electricity lowers total running costs, providing an economic benefit to owners.
Although challenges still exist in the development of pure electric vehicles such as a limited cruising range and issues related to cost, TMC still views plug-in hybrid vehicles as a promising technology for allowing electricity to serve as a viable power source for automobiles and is committed to their continued development as a key environmental technology.
TMC plans to conduct public-road tests in Japan with eight units of the TOYOTA Plug-in HV to verify electric-motor-only cruising ranges and optimal battery capacity. While doing so, it plans to provide the government with data for formulating testing methods for emissions and fuel efficiency and to consider TMC’s measures for promoting plug-in hybrids and the use of electricity. There are also plans to conduct public-road tests of the TOYOTA Plug-in HV in the United States and in Europe.
Comments (4)
Eight miles is pretty short. I think the Chevy Volt design is the better idea. A revamped EV1 or similar would be even better for the enthusiast market.
Posted by Alysandra | July 26, 2007 11:24 AM
Posted on July 26, 2007 11:24
Eight is pretty short.
However, it is a hybrid, not a pure EV. It wasn't originally designed to have much range in a purely electric drive mode. As a plug in, this is more like an EV with a really overpowered self-charging system that can be used for longer trips.
I agree it's not ideal. But it's an incremental step in a good direction, and kudos to Toyota for actually DOING it.
The Chevy Volt concept is even further in the right direction. But I've seen a lot of concepts that were good ideas that never came to market. Chevy's going to have to get some hardware on the road before I'll become a believer
Posted by kw | July 26, 2007 12:41 PM
Posted on July 26, 2007 12:41
So far GM has been all talk no action. I agree kw, Toyota is doing something and being "Inovative" with Lexus too. They have been one of the most inovative auto manufacturers since the early 80s as they had "multi-port" fuel injection (Supra and Cressida), jointly developed with Bosch, 10+ years before GM (re-introduced it in production cars) and about 5 years before Honda. Toyota has never looked back and the results show today. What will another 25 year bring us from this company?
I hope GM wakes up and brings out the Volt and I hope it is everything they say it is but I won't hold my breath. They are already years behind and since they have shown they still can't match Toyota quality after nearly 30 years, I doubt they will have much success catching them with regards to Hybrid and Electric vehicles.
Posted by SG | July 27, 2007 3:45 AM
Posted on July 27, 2007 03:45
research about engineering,safety, politics and cost of electric vehicles before saying it has short range.
This is good, because you lessen times the gasoline engine charge the batteries.
an all electric car is very expensive and not practical, and difficult to produce for now. a manufacturer can't make money from them.
toyota waits for battery technologies to improve while creating slowly but surely innovations for the average car buyer, no wonder prius is the popular hybrid.
Posted by adrian | July 27, 2007 11:16 AM
Posted on July 27, 2007 11:16