Toyota confirms plug-in hybrid vehicle for 2010
Toyota has announced it will offer a plug-in hybrid vehicle with lithium-ion batteries (most likely, for lease, not for sale) in Japan, the U.S. and Europe by 2010. This is the confirmation of the success of Toyota's PHEV Prius plan and tests in Japan and in UC Davis. Batteries will be supplied by the joint venture that Toyota set up with Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., which will begin producing lithium-ion batteries in 2009 and will move into full-scale production in 2010. While this sort of official confirmation is nice, Toyota isn't revealing everything: the company said are working in a new type of battery which could outperform lithium-ion, but didn't explain further). It seems that Toyota doesn't want to fall behind GM's Volt.
During the press conference announcing the PHEV Prius, Toyota confirmed its plans to produce the Camry Hybrid in Australia and Thailand and showed off its improvements in gas mileage for both gasoline and clean diesel models (sold under the DCAT label in Europe).
Update: Don't get too excited yet. We checked with Toyota spokesman Curt McCallister who confirmed that nothing has changed with Toyota's PHEV plans Since CEO Watanabe spoke at the Detroit Auto Show in January. The Panasonic EV plant will begin making lithium batteries late in 2009. However, 2010 will only see a few hundred plug-in Priuses available to government and commercial fleets for testing. The PHEVs would not be available in higher volumes to retail customers until 2011-12 at least.
[Source: AP]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Phil L. 9:04AM (6/11/2008)
Toyota claims improved battery-only capabilities in the next-gen Prius, but supplies no numbers. Anyone have further info yet?
Reply
Peter 9:27AM (6/11/2008)
This makes sense. Toyota is ahead on alternative drivetrains and will be conservative about rolling out new battery technology at a pace that will keep their hybrid cars profitable.
GM OTOH is behind and is making a "Hail Mary Shot" with the Volt. Profitability be dammed. They need this for a variety of reasons.
What each company is doing makes sense from their position in the market.
Reply
Mark 12:10PM (6/11/2008)
If I can't purchase the Plug-in Hybrid outright, I'm keeping my money.
Reply
Phil Kulak 1:02PM (6/11/2008)
That's a shame that it will take so long. I love the idea of the Volt, but would much rather have a car with some actual windows. I know there's the misconception out there that less window = safe, but come on. The Volt would be like driving a Prius with one of those medieval, slit-for-eye-hole helmets on.
Reply
Roin 2:17PM (6/11/2008)
It would be great they would offer a build in solar panel on the roof.
So your car can recharge all the time.
Reply
stas peterson 3:45AM (6/12/2008)
It appear tha PHEVs will start appearing in very limited numbers from ALL the principal automakers,in calendar year 2010.
The flood of such vehicles, will start to build in 2011 and 2012 going forward.
How long until half the annual production is an HEV or PHEV of some sort? 2015? 2020? or later?
Reply
Sasparilla 4:44PM (6/11/2008)
Hey there #4, if you look closely at the Volt concept part of the "body" at the bottom of the side windows is actually transparent - so it may not be as bad as it first looks. Alot depends on what the production design is like. Personally I think the Volt is one ugly beast, but am counting on Saturn to have the Flextreme version (with lots of windows) in a year or two after the Volt really gets out.
Reply