Wonderful news! If anyplace in the world is in need of an environmentally-friendly car, it is China. I only hope that this is the first of many announcements from Toyota about Prius production in other parts of the world - especially the U.S.

As an aside, I was looking at the Vespa site, thinking that one of their nifty scooters would be just the thing for summertime commuting. Alas, the mpg rating on all the Vespa scooters is LESS than the Prius! Prius certainly changes the way we look at things!

Jerry P,

I think Honda may be working on a hybrid scooter right now...not sure the details or when it's coming out, but I seem to remember reading about it somewhere....

mike@slavis.com

A quick google turned this up (reprinted from http://www.japancorp.net/Article.asp?Art_ID=8152)

Honda Develops Hybrid Scooter Prototype


Tokyo, Japan, Aug 24, 2004 - (JCN Newswire) - Honda (TSE: 7267; NYSE: HMC) has developed a 50cc hybrid scooter prototype that offers reduced emissions, exceptional fuel economy, and ample storage space. Employing both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, the new prototype takes Honda one step closer to a mass-market hybrid scooter.

The new prototype features an alternating current generator (ACG) with an idle stop function and the Honda PGM-FI electronic fuel injection system. In addition to an electronically controlled belt converter and a range of Honda environmental technologies, the new scooter features a dual series and parallel hybrid powertrain with a direct rear-wheel drive electric motor. Thanks to a compact power system and a rechargeable nickel hydrogen battery located under the front cowl, the hybrid scooter is about the same size as the Dio Z4, a standard-size 50cc scooter, and is only 10 kg heavier.

The hybrid scooter's internal combustion engine and direct rear-wheel-drive electric motor function in two distinct modes. In series mode, when riding on flat ground and when high output is not required, the engine alone powers the electric motor. In parallel mode, used during acceleration and when high output is required, the electric motor assists the engine. In parallel mode, an electronically controlled belt converter automatically selects the optimum assist ratio.

To make the most efficient use of energy, the hybrid system charges the battery during deceleration and whenever possible and utilizes this power when higher output is required. In addition, the scooter enters idle stop mode, when the scooter is stopped, and whenever power is not needed, during deceleration. These advanced features allow the hybrid scooter to achieve 1.6 times the fuel economy of the Dio Z4 (when riding on flat ground at 30 km/h) and to produce 37% less carbon dioxide.

About Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Honda is one of the leading manufacturers of automobiles and power products and the largest manufacture of motorcycles in the world. Honda has always sought to provide genuine satisfaction to people worldwide. The result is more than 120 manufacturing facilities in 30 countries worldwide, producing a wide range of products, including motorcycles, ATVs, generators, marine engines, lawn and garden equipment and automobiles that bring the company into contact with over 17 million customers annually.


It sounds to me that this works more like Toyota's THS than Honda's IMA...

mike@slavis.com

Thanks for posting the article Mike. I would pick up one of those scooters the day they came out. I think we would end up putting the Corolla up for the summer and only drive the scooter and the Prius. Hybrid technology is going to open up a new world in transportation - and make some foreign oil barons squirm!