Toyota makes 2010 plug-in hybrid pledge

[MelissaB]

Toyota makes 2010 plug-in hybrid pledge

By TOM KRISHER

DETROIT

Toyota Motor Corp. plans to test hundreds of plug-in hybrid vehicles with fleet and commercial customers worldwide by the end of 2010, company executives said Monday.

Plug-in hybrids can be recharged from a regular household outlet and generally have another power source on board to run the vehicles when the batteries become depleted.

The Japanese automaker is working on the necessary lithium-ion battery technology and is partnering with Panasonic to mass produce the batteries and produce its first plug-in, President Katsuaki Watanabe told reporters in Detroit.

Watanabe also said he has encouraged his company's engineers to meet stronger U.S. fuel economy standards before the deadline of 2020, though he gave no specific date.


More :http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8U5OSGO0.htm

I've been waiting for this. I love my Prius, but want a plug-in. :)

[kirby]

1. Call me skeptical.

Like the previous EV vehicles, these will only be available to commercial fleets and not sold to the consumer. There is not an indication or date that it ever will be. Sad.

[MelissaB]

4. It' Toyota...I'm hopeful!

Remember that some people already converted their Prius themselves. :)

[Bonobo]

7. If the US has anything to say on the subject, I'm sure you're right.

That Japanese, however, are very capable of doing this and, as a society, I see how they move in unison toward green technology and I tend to believe it.

Most Japanese people now recycle their bath water into their washing machines to save water and energy. In addition, they regularly replace their electronics and utilities with new ones that are vastly more energy-saving.

Last time I was there, there was a huge push all over TV and the media toward the Green movement (They're running a big ad campaign called "motainai" which means something like "What a waste..."

They will be all green while we are still fighting about it. In the US, only rich people have the financial means to make really big changes like replacing refrigerators, toilets, ovens, heaters and things like.

[Romulox]

11. You realize that Japan is in the top 5 of CO2 emitters in the world, right?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7092989.stm

[Ganja Ninja]

2. The best way to stick it to the Bush crime family at last.

Plug in hybrids will hurt them more than anything. Now if they can just find a way to charge them with solar roof panels.

[rawtribe]

5. Solar Prius

http://www.solarelectricalvehicles.com/

[in_cog_ni_to]

8. THAT is so awesome! I just emailed them for a price. I'd love to have a solar panel on my Prius!

Thanks for the link!:hi:

[MelissaB]

9. Can you post or pm the price when you get it?

I checked out the site and didn't see it.

I'm betting that the plug-in conversion will be better for the $$. The site said to expect, " Fuel economy improvements range between 17 to 29%." I just moved to the UP in Michigan and we don't get as much sun as we did in Alabama.

[in_cog_ni_to]

10. Sure will! How much is the plug-in conversion? Do you know?

:hi:

[MelissaB]

13. I'm thinking around 10 grand,

but I haven't looked lately. Here's one good site: http://www.edrivesystems.com/index.html

and another:
http://www.evworld.com/


I remember seeing the first linked on PriusChat, and some people had converted.

[in_cog_ni_to]

19. Here's the price of the Prius Solar panel....$4500.00 + $1000 for plug-in + installation & shipping.

email reply to my inquiry: This extended EV mode driving range translates to an increase in average fuel economy of up to 70 miles per gallon!!!!!


Thank you for the interest in the solar charging system developed by Solar Electric Vehicles (www.solarelectricalvehicles.com). Our solar charging system is unique to the market because its one of few aftermarket upgrades that actually pays for itself over time. We are currently only offering the kit for the 2004 to 2008 Toyota Prius. At this point, we are also planning to adapt the solar roof to other vehicles. We are taking reservations for a production toward the end of the year. (Production will commence once 30 pre-orders are received each with a $500 deposit). If you are interested in proceeding, please contact Greg Johanson directly (805-497-9808 x102) to place the order and inquire as to program specifics.



The solar charging system (patent pending) was developed to enable the Toyota Prius with hybrid synergy drive (HSD) to drive for extended miles in the “EV mode”. The stock Prius has up to 2 miles of EV mode driving but the cars equipped with our solar charging system have up to 20 miles of EV mode driving range per day. This extended EV mode driving range translates to an increase in average fuel economy of up to 70 miles per gallon.



In order to provide additional information on the system and its benefits, please let me know what you are looking for (system specifications, ROI, etc…). The system starts at $4500, which includes the solar modules, electronics, and a 2.3 sealed lead acid battery. The 120 VAC plug-in is an additional $1000. We do not install the kits at this point in time, but recommend that you consult your local mechanic. Installation should take about one to two days.



For more information about our research & development data, statistics, and module composition, please read the "white article" found on our website.

http://www.solarelectricalvehicles.com/articles/prius-white-paper.shtml



Also, a streaming video clip from KTLA news can be found on youtube if you search solar powered prius...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJX-sGn5RDo



You can also purchase additional batteries at EDrive in Pasadena, CA through Greg Hansen. They can provide a plug-in to home system as well. http://www.edrivesystems.com/



If you live out of state/country, F.O.B. (freight on board), Westlake Village, CA charges and sales tax will be additional. DVD and installation manual to be included with roof shipment.



Your TOTAL SOLAR SOLUTION is a residential or commercial solar electrical system coupled with a plug-in electric of hybrid vehicle. The solar system provides clean, renewable solar energy for your home or office, and allows you to use that same solar energy to charge your vehicle at night. New utility time-of-use electric rates magnify your savings, because you get the most credit for the solar energy you feed back into the grid during peak middle-of-day use hours. When you charge your vehicle at night, you pay the lowest electric rates and charge your car with your solar system's credits. Adding one kilowatt to your solar electrical system will provide you with enough additional energy for 30 solar powered mile per day for your EV car or plug-in hybrid.



Your TOTAL SOLAR SOLUTION can qualify for significant tax incentives that reduce the cost up to 80%. Call Solar Electrical Systems today and ask about the Total Solar Solution!



If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me at your convenience.



Sincerely,



Greg Johanson

President

Solar Electrical Vehicles

[e-mail]

www.solarelectricalvehicles.com

[Ganja Ninja]

17. I love it and I'm bookmarking it..

We don't need a car that is totally solar powered. Every little bit helps. Even if it only supplies 20 miles a day that still adds up, 7300 miles a year to be exact. At 45 mpg that saves 162 gallons a year. If a person only drives 20,000 miles a year that would be 36.5% totally free and non-polluting miles.

What they should do is make it so when you park it the panel unfolds to cover the windows. If you could get 40 to 50 miles a day out of a 12 hour charge that would be all a lot of people need.

[alfredo]

3. The new Venza is not Hybrid. What a bummer.

[in_cog_ni_to]

6. EXCELLENT! I wonder how many miles they will get per charge?

I love my Prius too and would probably keep it and get one of these for hubby! He drives to and from work with his car and the Prius is used for everything else. This electric would be PERFECT for him!:thumbsup: I'm excited!

[DainBramaged]

12. So did GM with the Volt

When they improve their CAFE average instead of depending on all of the Prius' sold, then they will become responsible again. Oh, and I forgot about them suing to delay the next round of CAFE improvements.

http://www.chevrolet.com/electriccar/

[Touchdown]

14. I want that car Today!

It's the most beautiful car Chevy has made in decades. in my opinion. And it's all electric. Knowing how much those 1100 people loved their Ev-1s, then I know GM can do electric right. They just need to guts and business will to do it.





I saw it on a Chevy commercial last week, with some E-85, HFC, Bio-Diesel cars on it. I paused my TiVo on it, and it said it's only a concept car and not available.:cry:

[DainBramaged]

15. GM is fast forwarding their research and development of all alternative power plants

In my lifetime, we'll see these babies on the streets, along with bio-diesels before 2010.

[MelissaB]

16. She's beautiful!

I'd love to have one, too.

[DainBramaged]

18. Bump for the Volt

[Ikonoklast]

20. I heard Bob Lutz on NPR a couple of weeks ago

Interesting guy, to say the least. He said that there is a big push on the Volt to come to market within two years.

If they do it right, they will have people lined up to buy one.

[DainBramaged]

22. Just find me the blueprints to turn up the "horsepower"

[Squatch]

21. Question:

Where's the power going to be generated for the cars to draw from?

/Already knows the answer.