Featured Toyota Says You’ve Been Misled—Most “Hybrids” Aren’t Really Hybrids

LOL - like most of us here didn't know that already. Sad that people actually wanting a hybrid for the first time would buy into that though.

 

And by the same logic Toyota EVs aren't really legit EVs, more like a hybrid car conversion to EV, with no redesign of chassis and motor for lowest possible center of gravity.

 

sounds like toyota is paranoid

 

most consumers don't care about definitions. the mpg's speak for themselves.

 

The reliability of Toyota hybrids speaks louder to me.

 

ummm


The legend grows: introducing the Toyota Hilux Hybrid 48v and GR SPORT II

 

Some of my earliest posting at the old GreenHybrid.com forum was explaining why "mild" hybrids could never get Prius-like efficiency. I did test drive a Saturn 'mild hybrid' to see what I could get and well physics works the same regardless of the badge.

Bob Wilson

 

Shoot. When I saw 48v I had hoped it was the entire electrical system - similar to the cyber truck - & Toyota saw how much more efficient that is. No such luck

 

maybe the guy from australia was venting about the hilux

 

Toyota Australia is doing what Ram and Jeep are doing here. Calling their 48V hybrid anything but a hybrid. While also taking advantage of what selling a hybrid has for regulations. I'm guessing they are losing out to some competitor not hiding the hybrid term currently.

Early mild hybrids sucked cause manufacturing efficiency wasn't in place yet. They'll never give the boost of a full hybrid. They also don't need an electric motor powerful enough for a BEV, and they use a smaller, safer to work around, battery. The cost difference allows a wider implementation of 48V systems.

 

The actual million dollar question here; 'If it's technically not a REAL hybrid; are we exempted from paying the BS hybrid road tax/registration fees tacked onto hybrids?"

Unfortunately; I know what they say about death and taxes - So I already know the answer.

 

Toyota should sue the states to ban “hybrid” fees then

 

From the article:

"In Australia, models like the HiLux and Land Cruiser Prado that use the 48-volt setup wear the “V Active” badge instead of the hybrid nameplate."

 

And Ram calls their 48 volt hybrid eTorque in the US. Their sister brands also use plain hybrid for PHEV models. This is all just marketing. This might have more to do with selling the Tundra hybrid in Australia. Dealers probably had to field to many questions about the difference between that full hybrid and any other mild hybrids for sale.

 

I believe the new dodge hornet or alpha romeo spins the crank with a belt - their version of a 'hybird'. I test drove it because of the steep mark-downs; but when I looked under the hood at their system - It was beyond laughable. I've seen 3nd world country cars rigged up better with zip ties and duct tape.

 

Chrysler Dodge Jeep stellatis Fiat whatever you want to call the group - they are all over the place with what they call their stuff. Our plug-in Pacifica for example - they only call it a hybrid (w/ 35 ev miles) . So figure that out. I asked some people from the group as to why the ridiculous naming of their plugin & they said customers don't understand what a plug-in is, so they just call it a hybrid to reduce confusion.
Meanwhile there plug in pickup truck with 150 EV miles - they are calling it an EREV. Same Tech & pentastar V6 engine as the plug-in minivan. (sigh) yea - that sure clears up confusion.

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As a through the road hybrid, you won't see much of the system under the hood.

 

To me, the Prius never was a hybrid until the plug-in version came out.

Hybrid gives off the idea that it has two drive trains that run off of two different fuels, not two different drive trains, that one is just a backup that is fueled off the other.