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In 2009 Toyota will achieve a new level of innovation in hybrid vehicles by selling the 2009 Third Generation Prius with lithium-ion batteries. Hybrid cars will never be the same.

1.) 2009 Third Generation Toyota Prius


What's better than a hybrid car? Well, a plug-in hybrid car of course! Plug-in hybrids have the potential to act as an electric vehicle for most people's daily commutes, while still give drivers the opportunity to fill up with gas on the long hauls. Plug-in hybrid cars, now that is the future.

2.) Better than a hybrid car? A plug-in hybrid!


Are you interested in buying a hybrid car? Check out our hybrid cars buying guide. This guide isn't trying to tell you which hybrid vehicle or which hybrid technology is the best, just which hybrid vehicle is best for you. So be sure to check out Soultek's Hybrid Cars Buying Guide!

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Numerous lithium-ion battery developers are producing 125 mpg+ plug-in hybrid Prius vehicles, yet when Toyota launches its third generation Prius hybrid car in 2008 as a 2009 model, which will use lithium-ion batteries, it will not be a plug-in hybrid vehicle. So, why isn't Toyota going to make the third generation Toyota Prius a plug-in hybrid vehicle?

125 mpg Prius plug-in hybrid car, but not from Toyota?

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Toyota's next generation hybrids will use lithium, but you still won't plug them in

There is an interesting experiment taking place in the workshops of many lithium-ion battery producers: the creation of 100 mpg+ plug-in versions of the Toyota Prius.

Thus far, both LTC and A123Systems have each demonstrated working plug-in hybrid vehicles built upon the Prius and each company's lithium battery packs. Both companies have achieved 125 mpg + performance with such plug-in hybrids.

Yet, when Toyota begins to sell the third generation Prius, probably sometime next year, the Prius will not be a plug-in, even though the hybrid will use lithium-ion batteries.

"Our battery is still superior," Masatami Takimoto, executive vice president in charge of powertrain development, recently said about Toyota's lithium batteries compared to the competition.

According to Reuters, "Takimoto said Toyota had been approached by both parties as well as many other battery makers, but dismissed their products as "unusable" due to their low energy density.

He added that plug-in hybrids, which can be recharged through an electric socket, were still years away from practical application and pure electric vehicles even further out because even with a trunk full of rechargeable batteries, they would have a cruising range of just 60 km (37 miles)."

So, is Toyota just being coy? Is Toyota trying to keep expectations down to protect sales of the current Prius? Is plug-in hybrid technology just too expensive for now?

Already there have been rumors that the third generation Prius will achieve fuel economy of 80, 90 or even 100 mpg - without plug-in technology. Perhaps, such mileage might make current plug-in hybrid technology ineffective in terms of cost/reward versus a conventional lithium-powered Prius hybrid?

Still, I find it hard to believe that the third generation Prius will achieve much more than 70 mpg - still a remarkable feat - without the help of plug-in technology. Of course, I would love to be wrong. Nonetheless, the competition heating up in the hybrid space from automakers, suppliers, and third-party plug-in integrators is getting quite interesting, and one thing seems certain: the hybrid revolution is coming.

posted by Dahcredyns at 0 Comments

 

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If the Volt plug-in hybrid vehicle is produced, it will create a signficant competitor for Toyota's hybrid vehicles. In fact, GM's hybrid cars might just become the industries best hybrids.

Chevy Volt Plug-in Hybrid Concept
Could GM's Volt make GM the leader in hybrid vehicle and electric vehicle technology?. (more)

The Toyota FT-HS hybrid vehicle sports car might only be concept vehicle, but the FT-HS demonstrates that hybrid technology is only just emerging. When a hybrid sports car can go from 0 to 60 in 4 seconds with v4 fuel economy, then you know that the potential of hybrid vehicles has barely been taped. Plus, add this technology to more fuel efficient hybrid cars and all you can say is WOW!

Toyota FT-HS hybrid concept
0-60 in 4 seconds with 4 cylinder fuel economy? The best of hybrid technology is yet to come. (more)
100 mpg plug-in hybrid vehicles are a reality with today's technology. The technology behind hybrid cars has barely been tapped. Plug-in hybrid vehicles will easily go more than 100 mpg in less than 5 years and if you drive less than 40 miles per day, you won't need anything but electricity to power your vehicle. The power of hybrid cars is just emerging. Go hybrid. Buy a hybrid vehicle today. Buying today's hybrids is an investment in tomorrow's plug-in hybrids.
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Wondering what kind of gas mileage hybrid cars achieve in the real world. Well, read about the experiences of the owners of hybrid vehicles who drive hybrids, such as the Ford Escape hybrid, Honda Accord hybrid, Honda Civic hybrid, Honda Insight hybrid, Lexus RX400h hybrid, the Toyota Prius hybrid and the Toyota Highlander hybrid.
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Plug-in Hybrids offer the answer to foreign oil dependency

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Future Hybrid Cars

2007 Model Hybrids
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Chevrolet Tahoe
GMC Yukon
Lexus GS 450h
Lexus LS 600h L

Mazda Tribute
Nissan Altima
Saturn Aura
Saturn Vue
Toyota Camry

And Beyond
Chevrolet Malibu 
Chevy Silverado
Dodge Durango
Ford Five Hundred
Ford Freestyle
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Kia Rio
Hyundai Accent

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Toyota FCHV

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