AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com AutoblogGreen http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif AutoblogGreen http://green.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid and Dan RothThe podcast by the people who obsessively cover the auto industry.<![CDATA[A family's 10-year history with a 2003 first-gen Toyota Prius]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/familys-10-year-history-with-2003-first-gen-toyota-prius/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/familys-10-year-history-with-2003-first-gen-toyota-prius/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/17/familys-10-year-history-with-2003-first-gen-toyota-prius/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



The Toyota Prius has put in its time as the benchmark for hybrids and fuel efficient vehicles on American roads. For Scott Burns, it's put in time as a family car as well, and one he's been incredibly happy with.

Burns, writing in the Houston Chronicle, says owning a 2003 first-generation Toyota Prius for the past 10 years has been smooth. (The larger, iconic second-edition Prius was launched as a 2004 model a few months after he purchased his). He calls it "a practical companion," and notes that even after 115,000 miles on the odometer, the metallic green Prius will live on with his 16 year-old granddaughter.

The Prius has only needed one expensive repair. It's been trouble-free over the years and has handled whatever road conditions it's been subjected to. While naysayers have voiced worries about the life of the Prius battery, the pack is still going strong. He's met several other Prius owners who've never replaced the battery and put a lot more miles on it.

While the second- and third-generation Priuses are known for getting 45-to-50 miles per gallon, his car averaged about 43 mpg. He estimates saving about 1,000 gallons of gasoline in the Prius compared to a comparable size non-hybrid, saving about $3,300 in the past decade.

Ten years later, Burns notes there are a lot of appealing hybrids on the market today, such as the Ford C-Max, which is larger and more fun to drive than a Prius. There's also a lot of high-mileage, cheaper small cars out there - which have become the Prius' strongest competitor. The Burns family is buying a new Honda Fit Sport model. It may not get 40-plus mpg, but at $20,000 it costs about $10,000 less than most hybrids - and he figures that will buy a lot of gasoline. Read his whole article here.

A family's 10-year history with a 2003 first-gen Toyota Prius originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 17 May 2013 13:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>first-gen priushybridmpgsmall cartoyota priusFri, 17 May 2013 13:53:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20572714/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20572714/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/17/familys-10-year-history-with-2003-first-gen-toyota-prius/20572714/article-detail.xml 20572714 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/first-generation-prius_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/first-generation-prius.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota Auris Hybrid manages just 84 grams of CO2 per kilometer, beating Prius]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/toyota-auris-hybrid-manages-just-84-grams-of-co2-per-kilometer/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/toyota-auris-hybrid-manages-just-84-grams-of-co2-per-kilometer/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/15/toyota-auris-hybrid-manages-just-84-grams-of-co2-per-kilometer/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Toyota Auris Hybrid
For Toyota and the new version of its Auris Hybrid that goes on sale starting next month, less is more. In this case, the Auris Hybrid will get an engine that cuts emissions by more than three percent from the current version.

The Auris Hybrid that goes on sale next month will emit just 84 grams of CO2 per kilometer, down from 87 in the previous model. The Touring Sports version of the Auris Hybrid, which was first shown off in Geneva earlier this year was, in Toyota's words, the "first full hybrid estate car," and emits 85 g/km. For comparison, the European Prius emits 91 g/km in combined driving conditions.

First-quarter Auris Hybrid sales in Europe surged 69 percent from a year earlier. There are no plans to bring the model stateside. Read Toyota's press release below.

Continue reading Toyota Auris Hybrid manages just 84 grams of CO2 per kilometer, beating Prius

Toyota Auris Hybrid manages just 84 grams of CO2 per kilometer, beating Prius originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 15 May 2013 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auris hybridco2emissionseuropetoyotaWed, 15 May 2013 11:54:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20569259/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20569259/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/15/toyota-auris-hybrid-manages-just-84-grams-of-co2-per-kilometer/20569259/article-detail.xml 20569259 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/auris_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/auris.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota's 'model' eco district gets solar-powered EV charging station]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/11/toyota-model-eco-district-gets-solar-ev-charging-station/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/11/toyota-model-eco-district-gets-solar-ev-charging-station/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/11/toyota-model-eco-district-gets-solar-ev-charging-station/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Toyota's eco-mobility charging station

Toyota, looking to further boost the "shiny, happy" quotient of the model eco-district it's built in Japan's Toyota City, has installed a charging station specifically to be used for its single-passenger electro-mobility vehicles.

The Smart Mobility Park charging station, located in Toyota Ecoful Town (yep, that's what it's called), will be used as a Ha:mo1 Ride2 ("Harmonious Mobility" Network) station starting in the fall, allowing folks to rent EVs to speed their voyage to the nearest public-transport station. Specifically, the station will serve three single-passenger COMS vehicles and five Yamaha PAS electric bikes.

The station will also have solar panels so the vehicles draw less (or, in some cases, no) juice from the grid, and will come equipped with general household outlets, making it potentially useful on blackouts by homes in this shiny, happy land. Check out Toyota's press release below.

Continue reading Toyota's 'model' eco district gets solar-powered EV charging station

Toyota's 'model' eco district gets solar-powered EV charging station originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 11 May 2013 16:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charging stationecoecoful townecomobilityelectric vehicleevha:mo1 ride2smart mobility parktoyotatoyota citySat, 11 May 2013 16:13:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20564378/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20564378/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/11/toyota-model-eco-district-gets-solar-ev-charging-station/20564378/article-detail.xml 20564378 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/toyotamobility_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/toyotamobility.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota readies refreshed TMG EV P002 for Pikes Peak]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/06/toyota-readies-refreshed-tmg-ev-p002-for-pikes-peak/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/06/toyota-readies-refreshed-tmg-ev-p002-for-pikes-peak/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/05/06/toyota-readies-refreshed-tmg-ev-p002-for-pikes-peak/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Toyota TMG EV P002

Last year, Toyota won the electric title at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb with the Toyota Motorsport GmbH EV P001 in a time of 10 minutes, 15.380 seconds for the 12.42-mile uphill course. For the 91st running of the demanding event, which will take place at the end of June, TMG is coming back with the EV P002, once again with Rod Millen behind the wheel.

TMG says that its engineers have spent the downtime between climbs "generating more performance" from the Radical-based vehicle by increasing motor speed and torque (oh, and setting new records on the Nürburgring). The P002 now has a top speed of 142.9 miles per hour, 1200 newton meters of maximum torque and 400 kW of maximum power. Before the annual climb, the EV P0002 will get aerodynamic upgrades and more track testing. A Schneider Electric EVlink DC charger will charge the P0002's 42-kWh lithium ion ceramic battery on race day. All these upgrades and the history of record-setting gave Claudia Brasse, TMG's executive coordinator of strategic EV development, reason to call the TMG EV P002 the "standard bearer for electric race cars."

We will see if Toyota will still claim the title after Millen fights off a challenge by Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima, who will be piloting the Monster Sport E-Runner up Pike's Peak. Last year, Tajima's run was shortened due to fire.

Continue reading Toyota readies refreshed TMG EV P002 for Pikes Peak

Toyota readies refreshed TMG EV P002 for Pikes Peak originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 06 May 2013 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclep001p002pikes peakrod millentmgtoyota motorsport gmbhMon, 06 May 2013 16:30:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20559418/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20559418/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/05/06/toyota-readies-refreshed-tmg-ev-p002-for-pikes-peak/20559418/article-detail.xml 20559418 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2013-toyota-ev-p002-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/05/2013-toyota-ev-p002-628.jpg <![CDATA[Hybrid sales up 32% so far this year, could hit 8% of market by 2020]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/01/hybrid-sales-up-32-percent-this-year/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/01/hybrid-sales-up-32-percent-this-year/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/04/01/hybrid-sales-up-32-percent-this-year/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Hybrid vehicle sales jumped high in the first two months of 2013 - up 32 percent compared with the same period of 2012, according to Autodata Corp. A long-term forecast by Gartner Inc. is even more optimistic - while the market share for US new vehicle sales has grown to four percent for hybrids, that figure could double by the end of this decade.

Why is that? Increasing gasoline prices, more evidence of reliability and a wider selection of hybrid vehicle offerings have sweetened the deal. The diversity of offerings helps - from the cheaper, entry-level Toyota Prius C to the competitive Ford Fusion Hybrid and the expensive, 949-horsepower LaFerrari. Subaru has finally entered the hybrid market with its XV Crosstrek Hybrid crossover. Nissan made a splash at the New York Auto Show with its 2014 Pathfinder Hybrid after being out of that segment for several years.

The Toyota Prius hybrid has been the flagship of hybrids since its US introduction in 2000. It did see some softening of sales in March, but it had gained the top spot in California new vehicle sales for 2012. The Prius is gaining a reputation for being reliable and owners are hanging on to them - Toyota says that 90 percent of the Prius vehicles it's sold as still on the road.

Of course, the higher sticker prices for hybrids compared to their fuel-efficient, non-hybrid competitors continues to impede hybrid sales. The Toyota Camry hybrid, for example, costs about $3,500 more than the gasoline-only Camry. At current gas prices, it could take almost five years to break even on the initial cost.

Hybrid sales up 32% so far this year, could hit 8% of market by 2020 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 01 Apr 2013 19:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alternative fuel vehiclesfuel efficienthybrid salesmpgpriussalesMon, 01 Apr 2013 19:51:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20524963/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20524963/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/04/01/hybrid-sales-up-32-percent-this-year/20524963/article-detail.xml 20524963 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/toyota-prius_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/04/toyota-prius.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota-Grenoble EV car-sharing program will include i-Road]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/15/toyota-grenoble-ev-car-sharing-program-will-include-i-road/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/15/toyota-grenoble-ev-car-sharing-program-will-include-i-road/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/15/toyota-grenoble-ev-car-sharing-program-will-include-i-road/#commentsFiled under: ,

Toyota i-Road Concept

We're not sure if you can throw tire chains on the super-narrow Toyota i-Road electric vehicle, but it's a question worth asking. That's because the Japanese automaker is partnering with the French city of Grenoble, located in the Alps, to deploy a car-sharing program that will include about 70 Toyota EVs, including some based on the recently unveiled i-Road concept.

Car-sharing company Cité lib will operate the program, while Électricité de France (EDF) will install the charging network, which will start by the end of next year and will be conducted for three years. Toyota's COMS ultra-compact vehicle will be featured along with the i-Road, which is featured in a nifty little video that was filmed in the South of France (with the i-Roads added digitally).

Toyota debuted the three-wheeled i-Road concept at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this month. The car is about 33 inches wide, so at least it is easily able to weave through narrow streets. Check out Toyota's press release below.

Continue reading Toyota-Grenoble EV car-sharing program will include i-Road

Toyota-Grenoble EV car-sharing program will include i-Road originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 15 Mar 2013 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car-sharingcarsharingciteelectric vehiclefrancegrenoblei-roadtoyotaFri, 15 Mar 2013 14:03:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20504235/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20504235/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/15/toyota-grenoble-ev-car-sharing-program-will-include-i-road/20504235/article-detail.xml 20504235 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/003-toyota-i-road-concept628opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/003-toyota-i-road-concept628opt.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota showing off pop art special edition iQ in Portugal]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/14/toyota-showing-off-pop-art-special-edition-iq-in-portugal/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/14/toyota-showing-off-pop-art-special-edition-iq-in-portugal/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/14/toyota-showing-off-pop-art-special-edition-iq-in-portugal/#commentsFiled under: , ,

toyota iq joana vasconcelos

Toyota is showing off its European-market minicar iQ with a splash on the streets of Portugal. An ultra-limited edition Toyota iQ, called the iQ Urban Art was created by award-winning artist Joana Vasconcelos.

There are only five editions going on sale, each one featuring a color scheme inspired by Vasconcelos' fascination with Pop Art and Nouveau Realisme. The collaboration between Vasconcelos and Toyota follows a single repainted iQ that she repainted with a similar design in 2010. That car gained some popularity on the streets of Lisbon, Portugal's capital city. It led to Toyota Portugal asking Vasconcelos to come up with a concept for the special edition. Each one is built on an iQ2 with a 1.0-liter VVT-i engine, aluminum sill plates and a choice between automatic or manual gearbox.

Each of these special edition models will be offered for sale online with the support of a dedicated assistant overseeing the process from start to finish. Owners will see the color patterns on a smart key cover and accompanying travel bag, and will be presented with all of it at a personalized handover event.

Toyota showing off pop art special edition iQ in Portugal originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Thu, 14 Mar 2013 16:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>artart cariqjoana vasconceloslisbonminicarportugaltoyotaThu, 14 Mar 2013 16:49:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20499558/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20499558/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/14/toyota-showing-off-pop-art-special-edition-iq-in-portugal/20499558/article-detail.xml 20499558 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/toyota-iq-urban-art_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/toyota-iq-urban-art.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota: solid-state batteries coming in 2020, 3-4 times better than li-ion]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/12/toyota-solid-state-batteries-in-2020-better-than-lithium/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/12/toyota-solid-state-batteries-in-2020-better-than-lithium/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/12/toyota-solid-state-batteries-in-2020-better-than-lithium/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

toyota rav4 ev

Toyota has never been a big fan of lithium ion batteries, and has a plan in place to replace them with solid-state batteries that are three-to-four times more powerful. Toyota will commercialize solid-state batteries around 2020 and lithium air batteries - which offer a fivefold increase for the same weight - could follow several years later, said Shigeki Suzuki, managing officer for material engineering. Suzuki didn't offer details on a rollout plan or vehicle volumes.

As for Toyota's limited interest in lithium ion batteries, they are present in the Toyota RAV4 EV (pictured) and the Toyota Prius V, but nickel metal hydride batteries have been the mainstay in the automaker's hybrid lineup for years. Solid state and lithium air batteries have advantages over li-ion and NiMH batteries. They're smaller and use less expensive materials than li-ion, such as rare earth metals.

There are obvious benefits to solid-state batteries. The liquid electrolyte found in li-ion batteries is replaced with a solid material (hence the name), and solid-state packs are more compact and stable, allowing a higher voltage to be packed into a smaller space, Suzuki said. Toyota has been working on solid-state batteries for years and might be taking the lead over competitors such as Sakti3 and Planar Energy in the plug-in vehicle market.

With lithium air batteries, the lithium cathode used in li-ion batteries is replaced with material that interacts with oxygen. It offers much higher density than current li-ion batteries.

For Toyota, the goal is to make a battery that has an energy density approaching that of gasoline, Suzuki said, because li-ion batteries can only offer electric vehicles limited range because these batteries typically have an energy density only one-fiftieth that of a tank of gasoline. While they're still years away, solid-state or lithium-air batteries may provide the solution Toyota's been looking for.

Toyota: solid-state batteries coming in 2020, 3-4 times better than li-ion originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 12 Mar 2013 13:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batterieselectric vehicleelectric vehiclesli-onlithium airlithium ionnickel metal hydridenimhplug-in hybridsolid statetoyotatoyota rav4 evTue, 12 Mar 2013 13:51:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20498009/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20498009/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/12/toyota-solid-state-batteries-in-2020-better-than-lithium/20498009/article-detail.xml 20498009 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/toyota-rav4-ev_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/toyota-rav4-ev.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota i-Road happily cruises the streets]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/09/toyota-i-road-happily-cruises-the-streets/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/09/toyota-i-road-happily-cruises-the-streets/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/09/toyota-i-road-happily-cruises-the-streets/#commentsFiled under: , ,

toyota i-road video

This video might rank up there with Katrina & The Waves' "Walking On Sunshine" when it comes to putting the viewer in a good mood. Toyota does the honors by showing off a quartet of its all-electric i-Road concept vehicles literally sashaying through what appears to be a French seaside town in glorious digital effect style.

Narrow roads, stone streets, windy oceanside drives and traffic congestion are no match for these happy little vehicles, which are 850 millimeters wide (that's 33.4 inches to you and me, about as wide as a baseball bat is long). If you were wondering how the concept sways back and forth, it's because of what the Japanese automaker calls its "Active Lean" technology. Note how the fenders move up and down through the turns. "iRoll, iRock, i-Road" indeed.

Toyota showed off the three-wheeled concept vehicle at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this week, complete with hourly driving demonstrations. You can see the official happy-go-lucky, 85-second video below.

Continue reading Toyota i-Road happily cruises the streets

Toyota i-Road happily cruises the streets originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 09 Mar 2013 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conceptelectric vehicleevi-roadiroadthree-wheeledtoyotaSat, 09 Mar 2013 13:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20495174/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20495174/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/09/toyota-i-road-happily-cruises-the-streets/20495174/article-detail.xml 20495174 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/toyota-i-road-video-628_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/toyota-i-road-video-628.png <![CDATA[Toyota will test two big electric delivery trucks in Japan]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/09/toyota-will-test-electric-delivery-trucks-in-japan/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/09/toyota-will-test-electric-delivery-trucks-in-japan/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/09/toyota-will-test-electric-delivery-trucks-in-japan/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Toyota's electric delivery truck

In California, "low rider" has long implied a gas-guzzling hot rod. Toyota is now making that term a little more utilitarian in Japan. Toyota, working with Hino Motors and Yamato Transport Co., is testing out a pair of all-electric delivery van that will be used for refrigerated trucking in Tokyo.

The EV with a one-ton-payload, which will be tested starting this month for about a year, weighs about 6,000 pounds, has about 100 horsepower and about a 36-mile-per-hour top speed. The truck is about 185 inches long, or three inches shorter than a Toyota Highlander SUV.

While Toyota is not disclosing the truck's single-charge range, the automaker is pitching the truck's lack of engine noise as a bonus for early-morning deliveries through residential areas. Additionally, Toyota says the electric motor and battery-on-the-bottom layout allows for a truck bed that's about 17 inches off the ground, or about half the bed height of a conventional delivery truck.

Read Toyota's press release below.

Continue reading Toyota will test two big electric delivery trucks in Japan

Toyota will test two big electric delivery trucks in Japan originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 09 Mar 2013 09:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deliveryelectric vehicleevhinojapantoyotatruckvanyamatoSat, 09 Mar 2013 09:13:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20490118/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20490118/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/09/toyota-will-test-electric-delivery-trucks-in-japan/20490118/article-detail.xml 20490118 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/toyotaelectriccover_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/toyotaelectriccover.png <![CDATA[Toyota ready with NY dealer incentives to move lots of Prius Plug-in Hybrids]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/08/toyota-ny-dealer-incentives-prius-plug-in-hybrids/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/08/toyota-ny-dealer-incentives-prius-plug-in-hybrids/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/08/toyota-ny-dealer-incentives-prius-plug-in-hybrids/#commentsFiled under: ,

Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid

Toyota appears to be in a New York State of Mind when it comes to trying to boost sales of its Prius Plug-in hybrid. The Japanese automaker wants to sell as many as 13,000 Prius PHEVs this year and is offering some deep discounts, especially in the Manhattan area, to hit that target, Wards Auto reports.

Specifically, Toyota is offering a $6,500 markdown on 2012 Prius PHEVs in parts of Manhattan and a $4,650 discount on this year's version. Those discounts are about twice as high as the $3,750 markdown on Ford C-Max and Fusion Energi PHEVs and dwarf the $500 discounts Toyota is giving to New York-area customers on the regular Prius hatchback and Prius V wagon.

Toyota sold 12,750 Prius Plug-ins last year, beating out the Nissan Leaf electric vehicles by about 2,800 units but just about half of the number of Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-ins sold. So far this year, Toyota has moved just 1,567 Prius Plug-ins, compared to almost 2,800 Volts that Chevrolet has sold.

Toyota ready with NY dealer incentives to move lots of Prius Plug-in Hybrids originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 08 Mar 2013 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>discountsmanhattannew yorkphevplug-in hybridpriustoyotaFri, 08 Mar 2013 08:02:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20489921/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20489921/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/08/toyota-ny-dealer-incentives-prius-plug-in-hybrids/20489921/article-detail.xml 20489921 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/priusphev_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/priusphev.jpg <![CDATA[New i-Road concept scoots, ducks, weaves in Toyota booth]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/06/new-i-road-concept-scoots-ducks-weaves-in-toyota-booth/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/06/new-i-road-concept-scoots-ducks-weaves-in-toyota-booth/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/03/06/new-i-road-concept-scoots-ducks-weaves-in-toyota-booth/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



The new Toyota i-Road concept moves in mysterious ways. So mysterious, in fact, that Toyota provided hourly driving demonstrations at its booth at the Geneva Motor Show. The quirky three-wheeler whirled around on a sort of road, the rear wheel looking for all the world like it was losing its grip around the corners - but it didn't. The movement of the all-electric two-seater caught the attention of the international automotive media representatives, often quite jaded at shows like these, as they walked by. Cameras came out. After a few minutes, the show was over.

We're pretty sure we are not the only ones interested in how this i-Road looks in motion, so we got our camera out, too, as you can see below.

Continue reading New i-Road concept scoots, ducks, weaves in Toyota booth

New i-Road concept scoots, ducks, weaves in Toyota booth originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 06 Mar 2013 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehiclegenevageneva 2013geneva motor showi-roadtoyotaWed, 06 Mar 2013 16:58:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20491184/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20491184/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/06/new-i-road-concept-scoots-ducks-weaves-in-toyota-booth/20491184/article-detail.xml 20491184 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/toyota-i-road-geneva-2013-video_thumbnail.png http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/toyota-i-road-geneva-2013-video.png <![CDATA[Toyota hybrids get more popular in diesel-loving Europe]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/16/toyota-hybrids-get-more-popular-in-diesel-loving-europe/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/16/toyota-hybrids-get-more-popular-in-diesel-loving-europe/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/16/toyota-hybrids-get-more-popular-in-diesel-loving-europe/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Toyota Prius

Together, Toyota and its Lexus luxury arm broke the 100,000-unit barrier for hybrid vehicle sales in Europe last year, Automotive News Europe reports.

Long known for their diesel-buying preferences as a way to boost fuel economy, Europeans upped their Toyota and Lexus hybrid purchases by a whopping 29 percent in 2012. While the Toyota brand accounted for more than three-quarters of the approximately 109,000 units sold, about 90 percent of Lexus vehicles sold in western Europe last year were hybrids.

While the 29 percent jump is impressive, it pales in comparison to the gains Toyota made in the US last year. The Japanese automaker boosted US alt-fuel sales by 83 percent in 2012 to more than 327,000 units and accounted for about 60 percent of all the hybrids sold Stateside. Lexus accounted for about 38,000 of the hybrids Toyota sold in the US in 2012.

Toyota hybrids get more popular in diesel-loving Europe originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 16 Feb 2013 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>europehybridhybrid saleslexussalestoyotaSat, 16 Feb 2013 17:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20460750/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20460750/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/16/toyota-hybrids-get-more-popular-in-diesel-loving-europe/20460750/article-detail.xml 20460750 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/08-2011-toyota-prius_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/08-2011-toyota-prius.jpg <![CDATA[Hybrids, EVs driving wider acceptance of diesel, CNG and hydrogen]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/06/hybrids-evs-driving-wider-acceptance-of-diesel-cng-and-hydroge/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/06/hybrids-evs-driving-wider-acceptance-of-diesel-cng-and-hydroge/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/06/hybrids-evs-driving-wider-acceptance-of-diesel-cng-and-hydroge/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Pictured from left to right: Tom Stricker, Toyota; Robert Bienenfeld, Honda; Reg Modlin, Chrysler.

Now that car buyers are starting to accept hybrids and EVs, there's more willingness to consider other green car technologies, including diesel, CNG and hydrogen. But the road to wider acceptance - and affordability - is being slowed by a lack of infrastructure and overlapping state and federal regulations that are sometime are at odds with one another.

That's the view of environmental and regulatory experts from three automakers, Toyota, Honda and Chrysler, who spoke speaking to an audience of journalists and policy-makers at the opening of 2013 Washington Auto Show, now underway.

Chrysler's head of regulatory affairs, Reg Modlin, said he is optimistic that investment by corporate fleets in CNG and electric will drive (pardon the pun) infrastructure development, citing that 20 states now are pushing CNG fleets. "The government has a role, but the marketplace has a bigger one," he said.

Robert Bienenfeld, Honda's manager of environment and energy strategy, is hopeful that the network of 100 hydrogen fueling stations California is planning to will "send a strong signal" for the viability of fuel cell vehicles, first for fleets, then for consumers. Honda's FCX Clarity fuel cell sedan has been leased in California for several years already.

What about renaming the technology as "natural gas fuel cells" to bypass consumer reluctance to hydrogen?

Toyota's VP of energy and environment research, Tom Stricker, predicts more collaboration between competing automakers to reduce R&D costs, such as Toyota's partnership with BMW on fuel cell research. He even suggested using natural gas to make hydrogen, and renaming the technology as "natural gas fuel cells" to bypass consumer reluctance to hydrogen.

All three agree that oil companies should ramp up production of low-sulfur fuel. "Direct injection engines need it to live," said Chysler's Modlin. Having one national standard for Tier 3 fuel will help lower prices nationwide, said Honda's Bienenfeld, adding, "if you don't have consumer support, you can't have policy." All three are optimistic that EPA fuel economy standards for 2025 will be met, although Striker describes the rules as "not really about fuel economy, but about CO2 reduction."

Honda's Bienenfeld noted that 40 years ago, cars were "1,000 times more polluting and half as fuel efficient." He predicts engines will continue to get cleaner and more fuel efficient, further narrowing the gap between conventional powertrains, including diesel and hybrids.

Hybrids, EVs driving wider acceptance of diesel, CNG and hydrogen originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 06 Feb 2013 10:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwchryslercorporate average fuel economyfcx clarityhondatier 3toyotawashington dc auto showWed, 06 Feb 2013 10:06:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20448121/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20448121/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/06/hybrids-evs-driving-wider-acceptance-of-diesel-cng-and-hydroge/20448121/article-detail.xml 20448121 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/automakerpanel2013washdcautoshowevelynkanterc_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/automakerpanel2013washdcautoshowevelynkanterc.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota will debut i-Road two-seat plug-in concept at Geneva]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/04/toyota-iroad-geneva/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/04/toyota-iroad-geneva/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/04/toyota-iroad-geneva/#commentsFiled under: ,



The phrase "it's a bird, it's a plane" may be straight out of Norman Rockwell days, but it certainly applies to the Toyota vision of futuristic urban, gas-free transportation.

The Japanese automaker says the world-premiere concept unveiling of a two-seat urban electric vehicle called the i-Road will take place at the Geneva Motor Show next month, and has released a top-view picture of the model.

For now, all that Toyota will say about the i-Road is that it is "compact," "fun" and "emissions-free." The picture appears to reveal a tandem-seating arrangement and a layout that includes two semi-detached front wheels and a single windshield wiper (hey, the car's pretty narrow). Beyond that, well, there's not much to go on.

Along with the i-Road, Toyota will be showing off its FT-86 "open" concept, the Auris Touring Sports wagon and the fourth-generation RAV4 SUV. The show starts March 7. Check out Toyota's press release below.

Continue reading Toyota will debut i-Road two-seat plug-in concept at Geneva

Toyota will debut i-Road two-seat plug-in concept at Geneva originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 04 Feb 2013 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>electric vehicleEVi-roadtoyotatwo-seaterurbanMon, 04 Feb 2013 08:01:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20446640/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20446640/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/04/toyota-iroad-geneva/20446640/article-detail.xml 20446640 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/toyota-i-road-geneva_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/toyota-i-road-geneva.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota recycling old hybrid batteries into energy-storage systems for dealers]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/02/toyota-recycling-old-hybrid-batteries-into-energy-storage-system/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/02/toyota-recycling-old-hybrid-batteries-into-energy-storage-system/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/02/toyota-recycling-old-hybrid-batteries-into-energy-storage-system/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Old-school Toyota Prius

How's this for a "willing buyer"? Toyota is going to recycle nickel-metal hydride batteries from old hybrids into energy management systems and will then sell those systems to Toyota dealerships in Japan.

Starting in April, the company's Toyota Turbine and Systems Inc. division will sell an Electricity Management system to dealers as part of its effort to get those dealers to cut energy consumption costs. Toyota is also getting its distributors to move towards solar power, LED lighting and other tree-hugging energy policies.

The recycled-battery systems can story up to 10 kilowatt hours (kWh) of power (by comparison, a typical US home uses between 15 and 20 kWh a day). The systems can be used for backup power and can cut costs by, for instance, being deployed as a primary energy source during peak usage and pricing hours of energy consumption.

By the way, those systems weigh about 2,100 pounds each (not all that much lighter than the early Prius models, actually), and are small enough that about six of them can fit into a typical parking space. Toyota's press release is avaiable below. You can see how else Toyota is repurposing old Prius parts here (rollercoasters) and here (recycling).

Continue reading Toyota recycling old hybrid batteries into energy-storage systems for dealers

Toyota recycling old hybrid batteries into energy-storage systems for dealers originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sat, 02 Feb 2013 08:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>batteryenergy managementenergy storagejapannickel metal hydridepriusrecycletoyotatoyota turbine and systems incSat, 02 Feb 2013 08:56:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20441262/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20441262/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/02/toyota-recycling-old-hybrid-batteries-into-energy-storage-system/20441262/article-detail.xml 20441262 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/priusold_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/priusold.jpg <![CDATA[Ford's January hybrid sales quadruple from 2012, younger buyers show interest]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/01/youth-is-served-as-fords-january-hybrid-sales-will-quadruple-fr/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/01/youth-is-served-as-fords-january-hybrid-sales-will-quadruple-fr/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/02/01/youth-is-served-as-fords-january-hybrid-sales-will-quadruple-fr/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ford Fusion Hybrid

The Toyota Camry Hybrid cuts an unassuming enough figure. To Ford, though, the popular model from the world's biggest hybrid-vehicle maker is basically Goliath, and the US automaker says it's taking a good shot at it.

Ford says its December 2012 share of US hybrids jumped almost nine percentage points from a year earlier, while Toyota's share fell eight percentage points. Meanwhile, Ford's hybrid sales for January 2013 will more than quadruple from January 2011 to about 5,500 units. Ford is releasing January sales figures today.

Ford notes the high conquest rate of its recently relaunched Fusion Hybrid, saying that almost 70 percent of the model's buyers had previously driven something other than a Ford. Additionally, Ford says the average Fusion Hybrid buyer is 48 years old, or six years younger than those Camry Hybrid buyers. Meanwhile, the conquest rate for the competing Camry Hybrid is "only 53 percent" (that may speak more to brand loyalty, but we won't quibble here).

Either way, Ford is coming off a year where it boosted alt-fuel sales by 32 percent from 2011 to more than 35,000 vehicles, including 14,100 Fusion Hybrids and 10,935 C-Max Hybrids. Read Ford's press release below.

Continue reading Ford's January hybrid sales quadruple from 2012, younger buyers show interest

Ford's January hybrid sales quadruple from 2012, younger buyers show interest originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 01 Feb 2013 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>c-maxcamryfordfusionhybridtoyotaFri, 01 Feb 2013 18:02:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20443619/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20443619/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/01/youth-is-served-as-fords-january-hybrid-sales-will-quadruple-fr/20443619/article-detail.xml 20443619 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/fusionhybrtid_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/fusionhybrtid.jpg <![CDATA[These kits turn your Prius into an emergency generator]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/30/these-kits-turn-your-prius-into-an-emergency-generator/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/30/these-kits-turn-your-prius-into-an-emergency-generator/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/30/these-kits-turn-your-prius-into-an-emergency-generator/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

prius outboard power kit

Homeowners up and down the East Coast have bought a lot of hybrid converters, devices that turn their Toyota Prius into an emergency generator. In fact, ConVerdant Vehicles, LLC, which offers so-called Plug-Out Kits, sold out after Hurricane Sandy caused blackouts in upper Northeast, said owner Randy Bryan.

Given semi-regular power outages, there had been some interest in the kits before the Superstorm, Bryan said, but once the storm hit and local residents were plagued by blackouts for days after the downpour, the demand for Plug-Out Kits took off. "They're using it for a lot more than just a 12-volt battery," he said.

Bryan has used a Prius generator for non-emergency power tasks - from powering speakers and a microphone at a nearby sustainability fair to charging a Tesla (the mind whirls). Once the kit is installed, using it is a simple process - connect an extension cord from the car to the house or worksite and enjoy the power.

ConVerdant (the name means "with green") claims the Prius generator is much more efficient than typical backup generators, which need maintenance to keep them working and produce their fair share of noise and exhaust. Since the Prius has built-in stop-start technology, it only runs the generator motor when the battery gets too low. Of course, all the energy is still coming from gasoline, but stop-start allows the Prius to use only a fraction of the fuel required by typical generators, the company says.

Most of ConVerdant's customers are using their Plug-Out Kit on a second- or third-generation Prius or on a Prius V. The Prius C doesn't use the same battery, and neither does the Prius Plug-In Hybrid, so those vehicles are not compatible. ConVerdant Vehicles is testing out the larger li-ion battery packs and their potential for backup generators, but for now, the regular Prius hybrid powertrain is the natural fit. In Japan, Toyota is testing vehicle-to-home connections using Prius Plug Ins.

The Concord, NH, company also sells Plug-In Advanced Kits, converting hybrids like the Prius into super high-mileage plug-in hybrids.

These kits turn your Prius into an emergency generator originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 30 Jan 2013 19:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>backup generatorsconverdantconversionhurricane sandyhybridoutboard powerplug-in hybridpriusstormstoyotaWed, 30 Jan 2013 19:40:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20442150/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20442150/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/30/these-kits-turn-your-prius-into-an-emergency-generator/20442150/article-detail.xml 20442150 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/prius-outboard-power-kit-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/prius-outboard-power-kit-628.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota loans two hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles to DOE]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/30/toyota-loans-two-hydrogen-fuel-cell-vehicles-to-doe/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/30/toyota-loans-two-hydrogen-fuel-cell-vehicles-to-doe/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/30/toyota-loans-two-hydrogen-fuel-cell-vehicles-to-doe/#commentsFiled under: ,

Toyota hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle

Following a record-setting year of plug-in electric vehicle sales in the US, the federal government is continuing an "all-of-the-above" alternative energy strategy to ensure folks don't forget about the wonders of hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEV). In fact, the US Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is borrowing four FCEVs from Toyota for a couple of years to see just how potentially wonderful they are.

The Toyota Highlander FCEVs will be used by NREL to further infrastructure development while getting a better handle on driving patterns and other data. NREL will also showcase the vehicles at events for public-education purposes and is even conducting a contest for graphic-design students in the Denver area to create decals for the vehicles.

FCEVs are thought of in some alt-fuel circles as a best-of-all-worlds solution because they can go almost as far as conventional gas-powered vehicles on a full tank but emit only water vapor from their tailpipes. Developing both the vehicles and the infrastructure has been prohibitively expensive, though. That said, Toyota is among about eight vehicle makers planning to start selling hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles in 2015, though that model will be based on a sedan, not an SUV. Additionally, the automaker announced a fuel cell technology-development agreement with German competitor BMW last week. The companies will also develop lightweighting technology for the vehicles. NREL's press release is available below.

Continue reading Toyota loans two hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles to DOE

Toyota loans two hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles to DOE originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Wed, 30 Jan 2013 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>energy departmentfcevgovernmenthydrogenhydrogen fuel cellnational renewable energy laboratorynreltoyotaWed, 30 Jan 2013 17:55:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20441027/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20441027/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/30/toyota-loans-two-hydrogen-fuel-cell-vehicles-to-doe/20441027/article-detail.xml 20441027 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/toyotafcev_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/toyotafcev.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota Prius was California's best-selling car in 2012]]>http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/27/toyota-prius-was-californias-best-selling-car-in-2012/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/27/toyota-prius-was-californias-best-selling-car-in-2012/http://green.autoblog.com/2013/01/27/toyota-prius-was-californias-best-selling-car-in-2012/#commentsFiled under: ,

Toyota Prius

When almost a quarter-million Americans go out and buy one of the country's most fuel-efficient vehicles, a bunch of them are bound to be from California, right? The answer is yes, they are. USA Today reports that Golden State residents registered 60,688 Toyota Prius hybrids last year, making it the best-selling model in the state.

The newspaper, citing the California New Cars Dealers Association, added that the Prius outsold the No. 2 Honda Civic by about 3,500 units, or about the same number of Prius models that can be found roaming the streets of Silver Lake on a given day. All this isn't a total surprise, since the Prius led all model sales through the first three quarters of 2012.

Furthermore, Toyota as a whole accounted for more than one in five new California vehicles sold last year, while Honda accounted for about one in eight. Throughout the whole country, Toyota moved almost 237,000 Prius variants, including the standard Liftback, Prius Plug-In, C compact and V wagon versions. Do the math and it turns out Californians accounted for more than a quarter of all the Prius hybrids sold nationwide last year. Cowabunga.

Toyota Prius was California's best-selling car in 2012 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Sun, 27 Jan 2013 15:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>californiacalifornia new cars dealers associationcivichondahybrid salespriustoyotaSun, 27 Jan 2013 15:26:00 EST http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20439269/article-comments.xml http://green.autoblog.com/feed/20439269/article-comments.html http://green.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/27/toyota-prius-was-californias-best-selling-car-in-2012/20439269/article-detail.xml 20439269 http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/prius_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/prius.jpg -1 2