Posts Tagged ‘idc’
Toyota: Lithium still too expensive
September 15th, 2009 | 
Author: 
A plug-in Prius at HybridFest
Since 2006, in the US, Japan, and Europe, Toyota has been quietly testing 126 lithium-powered Prius hybrid cars. In fact, there was a time when a few top Toyota executives announced that lithium would power the third generation Toyota Prius.
Then a few cell phone and laptop batteries exploded. Soon after, Toyota announced that lithium would not power the third generation Prius.
So, is lithium unsafe?
According to Toyota senior staff engineer for batteries, Kazuo Tojima, Toyota’s tests demonstrated that lithium’s “durability, stability and safety are assured.”
Unfortunately, while lithium also provided “small” fuel-economy gains, the costs of lithium still out-weighed the benefits.
Besides, is there any reason for Toyota to rush into lithium? On the other hand, isn’t there every reason for US automakers to rush into lithium?
Posted in Cars, Hybrid Cars | 
Tags: amp, apps, blog, car, Cars, cell phone, google, hybrid car, Hybrid Cars, hybrids, idc, prius, third generation | 
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Time to get real about hybrids and plug-ins
All about the dead Presidents?
Several months ago, a JD Power survey found that, despite declining gas prices, more than 70 percent of Americans were interested in buying hybrid cars. More than 40 percent of that 70 percent indicated they would pay as much as $5000.00 more for a hybrid.
At the time, however, hybrid sales were declining, as hybrid market share fell below 3 percent. Apparently, it’s not easy to put your money where your mouth is.
Can we change this disconnect? Finish: Time to get real about hybrids and plug-ins
Posted in Cars, Hybrid Cars |
Tags: blog, car, Cars, google, hybrid car, Hybrid Cars, hybrids, idc, market share, money |
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Auris hybrid details released. For Europe only?
At least initiallyToyota has released a few new details for its upcoming Auris hybrid. For instance, the Auris hybrid offers a drag co-efficient of 0.28, thanks to a full exterior redesign.
The Hybrid Synergy Drive powering the Auris will utilize a 97-hp 1.8L gasoline engine mated to a NiMH battery that provides several different driving modes. ECO mode is for is efficient driving; power mode increase performance; and EV mode is for pure electric driving.
Using EV mode the Auris hybrid can drive up to 1.25 miles using only electric power at speeds up to 31 mph.
Toyota will begin Auris hybrid production next year in England, but there is no indication that Toyota has any plans to sell the Auris hybrid in the US.
Posted in Cars, Hybrid Cars |
Tags: Battery, blog, car, Design, Electric, gasoline, gasoline engine, google, idc |
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Toyota won’t rush into plug-in Prius rollout
Plug-in leases coming soonToyota is on track to lease 500 plug-in Prius hybrids before the end of this year. According to Toyota, these plug-in hybrids will offer an electric range of 12 miles, afterwhich the Prius functions pretty much like a standard 3rd generation Prius.
Thus far, Toyota has claimed that its lithium battery production has proven reliable and that its manufacturing process appears sound. Hopefully that trend holds true as production scales upward.
Nonetheless, Toyota is not in a race to bring such technology to the mass market.
“Although we like to be first to market with these technologies, it’s more important that we are best to market,” says Irv Miller, Toyota’s environmental and public affairs group vice president in the U.S.
Unfortunately, no real word on costs just yet, although the plug-in Prius should be a good bit cheaper than the Chevy Volt thanks to its shorter EV range and smaller battery pack. And costs, according to recent polls, will be critical to successful PHEV adoption.
Still, does Toyota’s plug-in Prius really mean much until Toyota can replace the NiMH batteries in the the current Prius with lithium? Isn’t that the best path to economies of scale for lithium production and, eventually, plug-in vehicles?
Posted in Cars, Hybrid Cars |
Tags: Battery, blog, business, car, Cars, Electric, Environment, google, hybrids, idc, prius, Technology |
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Can another hybrid top Prius sales?
What would it take to dethrone the king?
The Toyota Camry is far more popular than the Toyota Prius, yet the Camry hybrid has never come close to matching Prius sales. Why (and it’s not just a supply issue)?
Is it simply the unique design of the Prius? The cheaper price? The greater fuel efficiency? All of the above?
Are small cars the only cost-effective platform for successful hybrid cars? For instance, could a unique hybrid truck or crossover compete? What about a unique Camry-sized hybrid?
What would it take to surpass the Prius?
Posted in Cars, Hybrid Cars |
Tags: blog, car, Cars, Design, fuel efficiency, google, hybrid car, Hybrid Cars, idc, prius, unique design |
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