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Toyota To Produce Up To 30,000 Plug-In Hybrids In 2012

Toyota To Produce Up To 30,000 Plug-In Hybrids In 2012

Robert Scardino July 5th, 2009 Robert Scardino By Robert Scardino Author July 5th, 2009
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December 31st, 1969 The Nikkei Business Daily has reported that Toyota plans to produce between 20,000 and 30,000 plug-in hybrids in 2012. The Japanese automaker has already committed to leasing 500 plug-ins for government and corporate use by the end of this year. The plan is hardly a surprise. While traditional hybrids continue to gain popularity, plug-ins are viewed as the next technological advancement towards cleaner, more efficient vehicles offering the same range and convenience of today's gas powered cars. Pricing is still an obstacle for the average consumer though. Toyota says they plan to offer their plug-in hybrids at about the same price as Mitsubishi's all-electric i-MiEV, which goes for around $47,000. For that money, you could also get a luxurious and powerful Lexus GS350. The plug-ins will use lithium-ion batteries developed jointly with Panasonic and they'll go nearly 19 miles before using a drop of gas. That's less than half the anticipated range of the Chevy Volt which is expected to bow at the end of 2010. Nevertheless, prepare for a battle royale in the plug-in hybrid market between the reborn General and their strongest foreign competition. Source: Reuters

Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid

Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid

Enlarge Photo

The Nikkei Business Daily has reported that Toyota plans to produce between 20,000 and 30,000 plug-in hybrids in 2012. The Japanese automaker has already committed to leasing 500 plug-ins for government and corporate use by the end of this year.

The plan is hardly a surprise. While traditional hybrids continue to gain popularity, plug-ins are viewed as the next technological advancement towards cleaner, more efficient vehicles offering the same range and convenience of today's gas powered cars.

Pricing is still an obstacle for the average consumer though. Toyota says they plan to offer their plug-in hybrids at about the same price as Mitsubishi's all-electric i-MiEV, which goes for around $47,000. For that money, you could also get a luxurious and powerful Lexus GS350.

The plug-ins will use lithium-ion batteries developed jointly with Panasonic and they'll go nearly 19 miles before using a drop of gas. That's less than half the anticipated range of the Chevy Volt which is expected to bow at the end of 2010.

Nevertheless, prepare for a battle royale in the plug-in hybrid market between the reborn General and their strongest foreign competition.

Source: Reuters

Tags: Japanese , hybrids, toyota, Batteries, lithium-ion, plug-in hybrids, hybrid, Lexus, Volt, Chevy

Posted in: Toyota, News


Comments (4 total)

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  1. By  Jim Poch #1, Posted: 7/6/2009

    I don't understand the pricing. There are Prius' on the streets today with conversion kits that cost $33,400. Why the $47,000? With their purchasing power, why can't they put in a 5 kwH lithium ion pack for $5K for a vehicle cost of $28K? This pricing decision delays a mass market deployment. Though less risk and higher margins for Toyota this delay harms our national security.

  2. By Anon #3, Posted: 7/6/2009

    #1, I assume when your talking about national security you mean security of the US? I hope you relalize the irony in what your saying. Implying that a Japanese company delays and priceing of there timid PHEV with its 18-24? mile range in all electric mode, somehow harms the safety of the US? Lol. This limtited-range PHEV is not worth paying a premium for. Never forget the primary purpose of HEV\PHEVs is to keep you buying gas. 47k(or higher) for a BEV with decent range, yes this thing no ty.

  3. By Paul Bennett #4, Posted: 7/7/2009

    I'll never buy a plug in, just another ploy by the world governements and corporate powers to control us.

  4. By Richard Poor #5, Posted: 7/14/2009

    A 2004 Toyota RAV4EV can go 80 miles all electric and cost $20K...that Toyota cannot make an upscaled, serial hybrid of this car is absurd. Too many lies in the auto-oil-goverment establishment.

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