Toyota Plans Hybrid That Runs on Batteries
WASHINGTON (AP) — Toyota sees a future in plugging in vehicles - instead of simply pulling in for gas. Already a leader in the hybrid market with its Prius sedan, Toyota Motor Corp. plans to develop a hybrid vehicle that will run locally on batteries charged by a typical 120-volt outlet before switching over to a gasoline engine for longer hauls.
The technology is far from being ready - and there’s no timeline for when such cars might be offered for sale.
Still, the automaker is taking a serious look at another idea aimed at reducing motorists’ dependence on gasoline: flexible fuel vehicles capable of running on E85, an alternative fuel made of 85 percent ethanol.
“Make no mistake about it, hybrids are the technology of the future and they will play a starring role in the automotive industry in the 21st century,” Jim Press, president of Toyota’s North American subsidiary, said Tuesday in a speech at the National Press Club.
Press, who recently became the first non-Japanese president of Toyota’s U.S. unit, said its hybrid technology has long-term staying power because it can adapt to several alternatives, such as clean diesels, biodiesels, ethanol, plug-in hybrids or hydrogen fuel cells.
The plug-in being pursued by Toyota would be able to “travel greater distances without using its gas engine, it will conserve more oil and slice smog and greenhouse gases to nearly imperceptible levels,” he said.
Plug-in hybrids use larger battery packs that can be recharged with a 120-volt outlet, allowing a driver to travel locally on battery power before the vehicle uses its gasoline engine. DaimlerChrysler has been developing a plug-in hybrid van.
President Bush has touted the potential of the technology but obstacles exist, ranging from making the batteries lighter, less expensive and more durable. Some observers have expressed concern about the ability of the electrical grid to support the vehicles, but supporters say most plug-ins would be recharged at night.
Buy AP Photo Reprints
Hybrids account for only about 1 percent of the market but have grown in popularity with gas prices topping $3 a gallon. A report on fuel economy trends issued by the Environmental Protection Agency this week found that the Prius, Honda Civic hybrid and Ford Escape hybrid sport utility vehicle had the highest gas mileage ratings in their respective classes.
Press said E85 and other ethanol blends are found in limited quantities at many fueling stations, but “as that develops and as consumers show an interest in flex-fuel products, we definitely want to be able to provide it.”
Detroit’s Big Three automakers have detailed plans to double their production of flexible-fuel vehicles to 2 million by 2010 and have urged Congress to expand access to ethanol and biofuels, which is mostly limited to Midwest fuel stations.
Environmental groups have noted that few flexible fuel vehicles ever use ethanol blends but auto manufacturers receive a credit of 1.2 miles per gallon on federal fuel-economy requirements by producing the vehicles.
“Toyota knows how to make clean, efficient vehicles. Why don’t they stick to that rather than availing themselves to a loophole?” asked Dan Becker, director of the Sierra Club’s global warming program.
July 26th, 2006 at 1:12 pm
I don’t know why the current generation of hybrid doesn’t have a plug in option. Actually, I do have a guess. The expense and weight of the batteries.. to get enough range for a typical “tank of gas” and to attain “Freeway speeds” you would need to give up people or cargo hauling capacity for expensive batteries.. but.. many people don’t travel more than 50-70 miles a day in the city, and don’t need to get up to freeway speeds which would require the gas engine to assist (or more batteries). If you do mostly cross-town driving that is well within the electric range of today’s hybrids without touching the gas engine.. Why don’t automakers give us the option to plug in our cars at night if they already have the batteries? Because people don’t want to plug in their cars?
I also know the argument that the power is generated somewhere (usually coal plants) but here in Idaho we have cheap hydro power, so it is a whole lot cheaper than gas.
Also, what happens in 5-10 years when you need to replace $3-5,000 worth of batteries?
December 18th, 2006 at 10:10 am
Hi Andrew!
Yesterday I saw a 2000 Toyota Camry with stickers on the bumper indicating the car was running on LNG. Unfortunately I was unable to speak with the guy driving the car.
I tried to search on Google for information on converting to LNG but could not find anything.
Do you know if it is possible to convert my 1999 Camry to LNG and if so does it make any sense moneywise ?
Thanks
Thanks
December 18th, 2006 at 4:16 pm
Well, I don’t know really about that… I have never seen a car (to my knowledge) ran on the liquified natural gas(LNG)….
Sorry inable to help,
Andrew
December 18th, 2006 at 4:52 pm
You’ve probably already looked here, but this might be a good place to start your research.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liquefied_natural_gas
You didn’t mention what country you are in, but some may have more refueling options.
December 19th, 2006 at 8:00 am
Hi !I have a 92′ Toyota 4×4 pickup that has recently developed a problem where the brake, battery, and A/T lights will come on simultaneously, and intermittently. Higher rpms seem to trigger the lights, and they will sometimes switch off during idle or reduced rpms.
I’m not sure, but the problem seems to have been triggered by my powerwashing of the engine.
Please help
December 19th, 2006 at 11:23 am
Simon,
Fun, an electrical problem. I’m certainly not an expert so hopefully someone else will chime in, but I’d check all the connections to the battery, alternator, your fuse box, and the various wiring harnesses, particularly leading to the dashboard lights. Since it is multiple lights at the same time, I’d guess it is not a sensor or a real error condition. Perhaps something is knocked loose or got wet from the powerwashing.