Hybrid Jungle

Toyota announced Monday that they are pushing their engineers to develop a plug-in hybrid vehicle using lithium-ion batteries before 2010. It appears they are looking to beat GM to the market, which plans to release the Chevy Volt in 2010. Toyota also once again confirmed that is planning to develop a new hybrid car for its Lexus division as well as another hybrid for its Toyota lineup. Both are expected to be unveiled at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.

Toyota and Panasonic have a joint venture in Japan where they produce nickel-metal-hydride batteries for the Prius. The venture which is 60% owned by Toyota and 40% by Panasonic, would be adding a separate production line to their assembly plant to accommodate lithium-ion batteries.

Currently Toyota, G.M. and Ford are all developing plug-in hybrid vehicles. In addition to the Volt, G.M. has plans to produce a plug-in version of its Saturn Vue Hybrid.

Plug-in hybrids are able to charge using an external electrical outlet. They will be able to operate purely on electric power for most short commutes, and then could operate as a conventional hybrid if the batteries are running low on juice. You could potentially go weeks without using any gasoline if your commutes are short since when you get home you would recharge your car. A typical recharge is expected to be about 4 hours.

Many people see plug-in hybrids as the vehicles of the future. They combine all of the great benefits of electric and conventional hybrids. States following California’s CARB guidelines are mandating a certain number of these cars need to be produced if the automakers want to do business in their state.

Source: New York Times

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