Toyota to mass produce plug-in hybrids from 2012

Given that you could buy a new 2009 for 20K (or a used 2007 - 2008 for that price or less) and convert it to a Hymotion pack for 10K, this will be a hard sell. The Hymotion pack gives you almost the exact performance in EV mode as the 2012 Toyota version claims.

The Tesla Model S at 50K is supposed to arrive in 2011 as well. I suspect Toyota will have to greatly reduce the price to get these to sell.

 

Hymotion upgrade has 3 years warranty. I am sure factory version would have the same 10 years / 150k miles warranty. Toyota OEM PHEV would also have the 60+ MPH EV ability. It would also have the EHR to lower emission during ICE assist. Toyota would also need to go through safety crash test, etc...

 

well having the full backing of Toyota's warantee is a lot of incentive. anyone with an EV (well one that is less than 100 G's that is) will attest to the fact that we live on the bleeding edge of technology (ok, also have to exclude OLD EV's which are not available to purchase)

there is constant issues with only taking the builders word on what any EV can do (look at daniel's porche and what he paid)

now, granted, its not a full EV, so it has additional expense for the gas part of it, but the price i dont think is unreasonable and lets face it, its 3 years away... all we really know is guidelines which can change drastically.

and let me tell you, at $50K, if gas is $4.50 a gallon in 2012 Toyota will not be able to keep them on the lot

now the Tesla is supposed to be slightly more, around 56 K before incentives, now that would be attractive to some but it still has range limitations which pretty much requires that anyone even a single person have another form of transportation making that seemingly equal price not so equal.

in my situation, i would gladly do one plug in Pri and one Tesla...(in my dreams...would have to liquidate everything to have that kind of money)

 

2012? $48k? Yikes. No thanks, I'll get a Tesla Model S instead.

 

I'm seeing different pricing for the Mitsubishi iMiEV - which is suppose to be a similar price point to the Prius plug-in.

I've seen $47k, $37k, and even $31k.

Mitsubishi iMiev price | DWS Motor

Mitsubishi iMiEV price cut, plug-in hybrid version coming - Japan

 

To me, without a renewable energy source for the charging when plugged in we are just trading oil for coal.

 

Not an easy choice, but you'd rather rely on foreign oil vs domestic coal? Replacing all power with renewable is not technically or even conceptually possible in the foreseeable future at even 2X the cost of conventional power is it? We're going to have conventional power (coal, gas, nuclear) with limited alternate sources for a long, long time yet IMO.

The irony to me is the $ advantage to an EV owner is before they become mainstream. Once EV's are everywhere, electric will become more in demand and more expensive and, you guessed it, oil and subsequently gas will be (relatively) less expensive. Yes, I realize it's not only about the $, it if was I wouldn't be buying a Prius (yet).

 

there is no human or physical law governing our energy source. we simply choose to not use renewable options at our disposal

 

I agree 100%, as soon as EV usage starts to visibly impact gas tax revenue, it won't matter if you are charging your car from your own solar or wind power, the state and federal governments will be right there with a big tax on EV's. It won't be just on the electricity, it will be on your car registration. That's the only way they will be able to get everyone and makeup for lost gas taxes.

So much for the incentive to make your own power at least for your car.

 

Meh, I would need 40 miles of EV to make it worth my while.

Besides, I want the Toyota Hybrid Sports Car now....

 

Don't get too hung up on the price speculation. EVs in 2014 will be common enough on dealer lots that pricing will be very competitive (total cost of ownership). Li-ion battery pricing will be plummeting while performance will increase. Another oil price spike (practically guaranteed), new smart grid/vehicle to grid charging infrastructure and business models (Better Place) will make the ICE a economically poor decision. Patience.

For those that can't wait a few years. Maybe you could start praying that EEStor is for real and that the cityZenn drivetrain will be out in 2010. Google them.

 

I work for toyota in texas and we were told that the pius plug-in's are only going to be avail. for fleet (business) customers. It wouldnt make sense to offer to general public since expected range on any give plug-in is around 50-75 miles between charges. Most customers i deal with on a daily basis want to buy a prius bec. They drive alot and wont be able to wait 5-8 hours for the battery to recharge.

 

dont hold your breath toyota put the hybrid sports car on hold for now you may be waiting for awhile. They were going to come out with a new supra with hybrid but with economy taking a dive it may be years before that happens. They were going to debut the tundra hybrid in 2011-2012 alongside supra hybrid.personally I cant wait for both to happen

 

toyota is teaming with panasonic to produce old prius batteries and new lithiom ion batteries. that will bring price down dramatically over the next few years and the new 2010 prius has the battery pack accessible to change out if needed. i have worked for toyota for 5 years and havent seen one that needed to be replaced and nither has the 20 yr service technician. the battery is actually 4 cells and one is not dependent on the other and is capable of running all systems on one cell. currently cost of the entire battery is 2600.00

 

China Gearing Up for EV Dominance | Green Business | Reuters

Looks like the Chinese will be bringing the EV costs down for us while they assimilate the rest of the world. Good for them.

 

I test drove the new Prius a couple of weeks ago. Great car but not enough of a ride improvement over my current 30+mpg car to fork over $23K. Instead, I just got new tires and a huge TRD decal to cover the clear coat mess on my trunk. Don't get me wrong. If you can't wait, my recommendation would be the Prius.

I'm waiting for the Nissan EV (sized between a Versa and Sentra) and the Ford Focus BEV. They'll both get about 100 miles per charge and cost about $20-30K. This press release is more or less trying to get you to buy the new Prius and not wait. Both are coming out in 2011. With Obama and Chu in power, there's reason to be optimistic.

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Nissan Promises EV for 2010 | Revenge of the Electric Car