Toyota Will Offer a Plug-In Hybrid by 2010
01-14-2008, 10:02 PM
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Toyota Will Offer a Plug-In Hybrid by 2010
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http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/14/bu...dd9&ei=5087%0A
Allscion -- an e-commerce website with news and accessories for your Scions
http://www.allscion.com/store
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/14/bu...dd9&ei=5087%0A
Mr. Watanabe said Toyota, best known for its Prius hybrid car, would develop a fleet of plug-in hybrids that run on lithium-ion batteries, instead of the nickel-metal hydride batteries that power the Prius and other Toyota models.
Plug-in hybrids differ from the current hybrid vehicles in that they can be recharged externally, from an ordinary power outlet. In a conventional hybrid the battery is recharged from power generated by its wheels.
Mr. Watanabe said the lithium-ion fleet would be made available first to Toyota’s commercial customers around the world, like government agencies and corporations, including some in the United States. He did not say when they would be available to consumers.
The Volt also is set to run on lithium-ion batteries, which are more expensive than the batteries currently used by Toyota, but which can potentially power the vehicle for a longer time...
Plug-in hybrids differ from the current hybrid vehicles in that they can be recharged externally, from an ordinary power outlet. In a conventional hybrid the battery is recharged from power generated by its wheels.
Mr. Watanabe said the lithium-ion fleet would be made available first to Toyota’s commercial customers around the world, like government agencies and corporations, including some in the United States. He did not say when they would be available to consumers.
The Volt also is set to run on lithium-ion batteries, which are more expensive than the batteries currently used by Toyota, but which can potentially power the vehicle for a longer time...
01-17-2008, 10:37 PM
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Its nice to know a plug option will only be available to world fleet customers of governments and not the consumer. I sure can sleep a whole lot better at night knowing I could never own something that will really help the economy.
FYI, aftermarket plug in kits for 3-6 grand that uses either lith or nickle metal are available for your existing prius or other hybrid vehicle.
As for the xb, I just turn the engine off once its warmmed up at long stop lights, rail road crossing and drive ins.
FYI, aftermarket plug in kits for 3-6 grand that uses either lith or nickle metal are available for your existing prius or other hybrid vehicle.
As for the xb, I just turn the engine off once its warmmed up at long stop lights, rail road crossing and drive ins.
01-27-2008, 06:19 PM
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Really, really a disappointment. You could get some crazy mpg figures with this option if you make short trips and or do not exceed 35-40 mph. Reason is that, if you travel short enough that it does not run out of electric power, drive easy enough and under 35mph, the car will never kick on the ice unless it needs to warm up or reach operating temperature, therefore giving you high fuel economy. I drive 7 miles 3 times a day between 2 jobs and could plug in at all 3 places. I would just have the engine turn on for a few minutes to warm up, then it will shut off unless extra propulsion was needed to take off hard, exceed 35mph or I turned on the heater.
Originally Posted by Gman1028
That is a great decision score one for Toyota
01-30-2008, 11:16 AM
#8
i wouldnt do that, especially if my electricity bill goes through the roof! you pay an extra 2 grand for a car that you plug in. shoot my space heater takes a lot of electricity, i dont even want to imagine how much the car uses.
and btw cobb shutting your car off at traffic lights, railroad crossings, and drive through is a waste of gas and its dangerous. you use more gas starting your car tehn you do idling for the amount of time you are sitting there waiting for the light to turn green or the train to go buy, or your coffee to be finished.
and btw cobb shutting your car off at traffic lights, railroad crossings, and drive through is a waste of gas and its dangerous. you use more gas starting your car tehn you do idling for the amount of time you are sitting there waiting for the light to turn green or the train to go buy, or your coffee to be finished.
01-30-2008, 10:30 PM
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Cutting my engine gave me an instant 2 more mpg in my commute.
Maybe you are not doing it correctly? I have a quick green to deal with and when I can see it half a mile out that its just turn red or yellow, I upshift and engine brake with the key off, then as I see the other lane change indicating my lane will change, I refire and go on. If its about to turn green, I just engine brake and get on the gas when I can. Same goes for drive throughs.
I know people with evs, its about 20-40 bucks extra a month. A battery charger may pull 15 amps at a full discharge, however the draw is tapered and most of the time the evs are not doa and just need a partial charge.
Maybe you are not doing it correctly? I have a quick green to deal with and when I can see it half a mile out that its just turn red or yellow, I upshift and engine brake with the key off, then as I see the other lane change indicating my lane will change, I refire and go on. If its about to turn green, I just engine brake and get on the gas when I can. Same goes for drive throughs.
I know people with evs, its about 20-40 bucks extra a month. A battery charger may pull 15 amps at a full discharge, however the draw is tapered and most of the time the evs are not doa and just need a partial charge.
02-06-2008, 07:52 PM
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^^^ that is a huge risk and illegal by me.
also, a plug in hybrid is not new from Toyota...they have had that rumor running around for 2 years...
but ever since those laptop computrs started to catch fire (using lit-ion batteries), it has been put on hold.
also, it is silly to market this plug in to Gov. & corp fleets.
those are the least likely places to have garages/ports where these can be plugged in.
I know i NYC they leave all these cars parked on the streets...where are they gonna plug in to????
also, a plug in hybrid is not new from Toyota...they have had that rumor running around for 2 years...
but ever since those laptop computrs started to catch fire (using lit-ion batteries), it has been put on hold.
also, it is silly to market this plug in to Gov. & corp fleets.
those are the least likely places to have garages/ports where these can be plugged in.
I know i NYC they leave all these cars parked on the streets...where are they gonna plug in to????
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