Toyota's Green Problem

[Rancid13]

PROJECT GREEN

Toyota’s Green Problem


Despite the Prius, environmentalists are turning on the carmaker for opposing new gas-mileage laws.
By Keith Naughton | NEWSWEEK
Nov 19, 2007 Issue

When Toyota introduced its Prius hybrid car in America seven years ago, Detroit laughed it off. With gas prices at $1.50 a gallon, they argued, no one would buy it. But Dan Becker embraced the little mileage miser. Then head of the Sierra Club's global-warming project, Becker invented an award to give Toyota: the Sierra Club Award for Excellence in Environmental Design. Then he took the Prius on a 50-city promotional tour. Finally, Becker paid Toyota the ultimate compliment; he bought a Prius. Today, Becker is still driving the car, but he's no longer praising Toyota. Instead, he now calls the automaker a "hypocrite" for siding with Detroit in opposition to tougher new gas-mileage laws. "It's embarrassing to have applauded Toyota for the Prius," says Becker, "and now to see them acting so irresponsibly."

Full Article

[ibcs]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rancid13 @ Nov 14 2007, 03:10 PM) [snapback]539594[/snapback]</div>

PROJECT GREEN

Toyota's Green Problem


Despite the Prius, environmentalists are turning on the carmaker for opposing new gas-mileage laws.
By Keith Naughton | NEWSWEEK
Nov 19, 2007 Issue

When Toyota introduced its Prius hybrid car in America seven years ago, Detroit laughed it off. With gas prices at $1.50 a gallon, they argued, no one would buy it. But Dan Becker embraced the little mileage miser. Then head of the Sierra Club's global-warming project, Becker invented an award to give Toyota: the Sierra Club Award for Excellence in Environmental Design. Then he took the Prius on a 50-city promotional tour. Finally, Becker paid Toyota the ultimate compliment; he bought a Prius. Today, Becker is still driving the car, but he's no longer praising Toyota. Instead, he now calls the automaker a "hypocrite" for siding with Detroit in opposition to tougher new gas-mileage laws. "It's embarrassing to have applauded Toyota for the Prius," says Becker, "and now to see them acting so irresponsibly."

Full Article [/b]

Many comments in the discuss section were very incorrect. Somebody, stated that the lawnmower named Prius got 36 MPG. I added a link to GreenHybrid.com for them to see real world numbers. Unfortunately, Toyota is in business to sell vehicles and US consumers seem to want heart throbbing accelleration or a huge truck over mileage.

[ronvalencia]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(ibcs @ Nov 15 2007, 07:19 AM) [snapback]539645[/snapback]</div>

Many comments in the discuss section were very incorrect. Somebody, stated that the lawnmower named Prius got 36 MPG. I added a link to GreenHybrid.com for them to see real world numbers. Unfortunately, Toyota is in business to sell vehicles and US consumers seem to want heart throbbing accelleration or a huge truck over mileage.
[/b]

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/05/19/au...ur-endurance-t/

"Hino launched the hybrid truck at the show and has already made its first delivery of two vehicles to Australia Post (Oz's postal service)."

[Jonnycat26]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(rval @ Nov 16 2007, 07:29 AM) [snapback]540468[/snapback]</div>

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2007/05/19/au...ur-endurance-t/

"Hino launched the hybrid truck at the show and has already made its first delivery of two vehicles to Australia Post (Oz's postal service)."
[/b]

So Toyota managed to make a mild-hybrid truck... been there, seen that. Looks like HSD really can't do any sort of real towing.

[ronvalencia]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jonnycat26 @ Nov 16 2007, 10:47 PM) [snapback]540474[/snapback]</div>

So Toyota managed to make a mild-hybrid truck... been there, seen that.
[/b]

Note, it's a Hybrid Diesel... Diesel engine technology was deemed to be a competitor against hybrids (by some Euro originated groups). Anyway, it's already been replaced with Dutro Hybrid 2.0 (refer to the link below).

http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007...o_roll_ou.html
Factor in torque values between electric and diesel engines, not just kilowatts. Like the Prius, conversional engine takes over at a given speed.

For Dutro Hybrid 1.0;
http://fleetowner.com/equipment/nutsbolts/..._hybrid_headed/
"The electrical power is then used to augment the diesel on startup, as well as during cruising"

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jonnycat26 @ Nov 16 2007, 10:47 PM) [snapback]540474[/snapback]</div>

Looks like HSD really can't do any sort of real towing.
[/b]

In the current Prius 2.0, the petrol engine take over at higher speeds. HSD only means two engines/power sources(1). A 1.5L engine is hardly built with “useful” towing in mind.

The other +3.0L engine hybrid from Toyota would be Lexus 400H or 600H. Panasonic EV is producing drive batteries for high selling hybrids for both Honda and Toyota.

1. http://www.motorpoint.com.au/lexusrx400h.asp
"Future Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drives hold the potential to operate even more efficiently using new types of batteries and fuels. According to Fujio Cho, President of Toyota Motor Corporation " Toyota's Hybrid System will make up the heart of our hydrogen fuel cell program of tomorrow".