Prius Plugs-in at Detroit
Tuesday January 15, 2008
Hybrid technology advancement is a top priority for Toyota--and it's one that's being tested first-hand at the North American International Auto Show. Several Toyota Prius plug-in electric hybrid (PHEV) prototypes are being used for executive shuttle service at the show. This plug-in has a second nickel-metal hydride battery pack that can store more electricity--and that translates into longer periods of pure-electric driving (and at higher speeds), not to mention stellar fuel economy and reduced emissions over the already-impressive current Prius models. 
Toyota is on a roll. With over one million hybrid vehicles worldwide, Toyota is aiming to hit the one million annual mark by 2012--and with 2007 U.S. hybrid numbers ringing in at 750,000 (Toyota and Lexus combined), we'd say it's a goal that'll come to fruition. Automotive News recently reported that Toyota Motor CEO Katsuaki Watanabe stated that Toyota has plans to unveil new hybrid production models at Detroit, to increase investment in cellulosic ethanol derived from wood waste, to launch clean-diesel V-8s in the Tundra and Sequoia and expand their Panasonic joint-venture battery operations. Not to mention meet the 35 mpg CAFE standard long before 2020 rolls around.Go, Toyota, go! This is a powerful example of what can happen when great minds work together toward a laudable goal. Kudos to all the folks who help to make it happen.
Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid at Detroit - photo © Dale Wickell
Comments
it’s going to be really interesting to see how cars change by 2015! I was just watching a presentation on composite fiber car shells and the net effect on efficiency. it’s pretty amazing stuff. And Toyota is really hitting this area hard. I guess Honda seems to be going the hydrogen route.
Hi Paul,
We agree, and even well beyond 2015. Yeah, most manufacturers seem to have chosen one or two alternatives to embrace, while dabbling a bit in the others to see what works and what doesn’t. We think there is room for all technologies, and each can play a niche role, but time will tell. What’s really neat is the fact that some of the greatest stuff to come, possibly hasn’t even been invented yet. The ingenuity of the human mind is amazing. Thanks for writing!