Toyota gives in to plug-in hybrid pressure
Toyota’s previous comments with respect to the whole plug-in hybrid movement have bordered on hostile. The company, no surprise, has tried to downplay the potential by pointing to technical challenges, criticizing Prius hackers, and claiming that car owners don’t want to be burdened with having to plug their car into an electrical socket. But public pressure seems to have Toyota singing a different tune these days, making it the latest (and arguably most important) big car manufacturer to reveal that, yes, it’s working on plug-in hybrids behind the scenes. Perhaps it’s because George W. Bush himself is a supporter of the plug-in hybrid concept, or the fact that U.S. legislators seem intent on driving more funding toward the plug-in hybrid and flex-fuel options. It might also be because Ford and Daimler Chrysler are getting behind the plug-in concept and Toyota doesn’t want to lose its edge in the U.S. market.
On June 13 Toyota issued this release outlining its improved efforts to create environmentally sound and sustainable vehicles. Among a list of impressive initiatives under way, Toyoto Motor Corp. (TMC) made the following statement: “TMC will advance its research and development of plug-in hybrid vehicles (which can be charged from an external power source and provide electricity) and is currently working on a next-generation vehicle that can extend the distance traveled by the electric motor alone and that is expected to have a significant effect on reducing C02 and helping to abate atmospheric pollution.”
Whether this is open acknowledgement of a serious R&D program that will lead to commercialization of plug-in hybrids, or simply a marketing stunt to appease the plug-in hybrid movement, who knows… I think Toyota, like other car manufacturers, realize that some huge advancements in battery technology are just around the corner and could soon unlock the potential of plug-in hybrids and EVs in general.
Tyler Hamilton is editor-in-chief of Corporate Knights magazine and a business columnist for the Toronto Star, Canada's largest daily newspaper. In addition to this Clean Break blog, Tyler writes a weekly column of the same name that discusses trends, happenings and innovators in the clean technology and green energy market. This blog is a personal project started in April 2005. It is not an official blog of the newspaper.
July 27th, 2006 at 4:34 pm
An overlooked advantadge of electric vehicles cold be the ability to run needed household basics during power outages. Most outages are over in a few hours. Minimal use with fans, a light, and radio could run for days. Also for camping, and working with electric tools away from a power source.
May 25th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
All of this sounds promising but I don’t understand one thing. Is the Prius model’s release announced to a certain date?
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donate car for charity
July 7th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
Seems like today, 7/7/2007, would be a good opportunity for Toyota to unveil its plug-in version of the Prius, or at least provide a release date.
September 6th, 2007 at 8:40 am
Good comment. I have often wondered why gasoline cars are not used as generators also. They run quietly, and might be cheaper than the grid. No line loss. The electrical system could be beefed up. There has been talk of a 24 volt standard anyway, due to demands for more electronics today.
I think electric cars which can self charge, with a built in generator, make the most sense also. That is, for when a plug is not available.
September 6th, 2007 at 9:02 am
Hiya,
Why this focus on Prius, when there’s X ?
I’m follwing the drive train manufacturer and know there’ll be a leading EU-OEM in the Frankfurt autoshow, making this technology main stream.
This is crucial: let the OEM’s keep their USP’s and deliver drive trains to them, or anyone else able/willing to retrofit existing -fleets of- vehicles.
And thereby reducing dependency, conflict, wasting resources, pollution, political/governance mediocricity.
Next steps: fill’r up with http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concentrated_Solar_Power ” rel=”nofollow”>CSP and connect to the grid where you can.
Ask http://www.google.org/recharge/ and Sir Richard to adopt all this and see how many hearts the West can win in Iraq or any other region the West has problematic relations with..
Emil M
September 6th, 2007 at 9:03 am
Hiya,
Why this focus on Prius, when there’s X ?
I’m follwing the drive train manufacturer and know there’ll be a leading EU-OEM in the Frankfurt autoshow, making this technology main stream.
This is crucial: let the OEM’s keep their USP’s and deliver drive trains to them, or anyone else able/willing to retrofit existing -fleets of- vehicles.
And thereby reducing dependency, conflict, wasting resources, pollution, political/governance mediocricity.
Next steps: fill’r up with http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concentrated_Solar_Power ” rel=”nofollow”>CSP and connect to the grid where you can.
Ask http://www.google.org/recharge/ and Sir Richard to adopt all this and see how many hearts the West can win in Iraq or any other region the West has problematic relations with..
Emil M