Toyota Motors (NYSE: TM) is launching the first U.S. tests of its plug-in hybrid technology in two converted Prius hybrids. The test cars will run on nickel-metal hydride batteries for seven miles before a gas engine kicks in. Although seven miles is nothing to rejoice about, other automakers are also developing plug-in vehicles that are more technologically advanced:
General Motors (NYSE: GM) is developing the Volt plug-in, with hopes of reaching 40 miles of electric-powered travel with the new lithium-ion batteries.
- Ford Motor (NYSE: F) announced earlier this month it plans to give 20 Escape Hybrid SUVs modified as plug-ins to Southern California Edison for testing.
- Chrysler Group (NYSE: DCX) modified several Sprinter delivery vans as plug-ins, with one designated for newspaper delivery.
Why is Toyota testing plug-in models with old-school nickel-metal hydride batteries? Plug-in advocates believe Toyota had to start somewhere. As much as the industry wants more technologically advanced batteries, "Development has not happened as fast as we hoped," Toyota's senior strategic planner Jaycie Chitwood told USA Today.
Regardless of how much testing the industry is doing on plug-ins, the technology is more than a decade away from mass production. The main problem stems from the fuel cell industry's ability to produce a stronger, smaller battery on a budget that consumers can afford. Until that happens, the world will use hybrid technology.
Hybrid technology is flourishing in America and is now spreading into full-size SUVs. The new full-size hybrid SUVs are a marketing team's dream, as Americans love their bigger, stronger and faster autos, but hate the higher gas prices. General Motors said Tuesday that it now expects 40% improved fuel economy in city driving with its hybrid full-size SUVs, compared to their gas-only counterparts. The Hybrid Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon will now travel 19-20 mpg in stop-and-go driving. This means they will now get better gas mileage than some mid- and full-size sedans.
General Motors has set a lofty goal at producing 10,000 hybrids this year. How does GM know it can sell that many? It doesn't. Since this is an industry first, GM lacks a track record to show if buyers want them.
Keep in mind that consumers will no longer have those hybrid tax-credits Americans were raving about for the past two years. Analysts must question how much of an impact that plays on slumping hybrid sales in 2007. If this ambitious plan fails, GM could find themselves with thousands of hybrid trucks on the lot and no one to drive them.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-26-2007 @ 6:11PM
Michael said...
Diesel is the way to go!
7-26-2007 @ 6:11PM
Michael said...
Diesel is the way to go!
8-01-2007 @ 11:48AM
brettze@hotmail.com said...
Lightweightness is the future!!! You dont need 2 or 3 ton bucket of bolts and nuts on wheels!!! Composites and aluiminium and intelligent stabilization mechanisms will reduce the autmobile to under one ton at most. We have aluminum wheels, engines blocks, heads, spaceframes etc. We will add Indy like mechanisms to stablize driving . Indy cars are very light and can go 200 mph without flying around. Again, lightweighness like you have your bicycle, tennis rackets, backpacks, etc. We just dont have enough light weight materials around to make a alot of stuff. We need to increase lightweight resources before we can make plans for lightweight products to make and sell. Do you know that we only produce 35 million tons of aluminium against over one billion tons of steel/iron. So go figure. we are too dumb and heavy1!
7-26-2007 @ 7:15PM
Jim said...
If you really think batteries are the problem view this documentry - Who Killed The Electric Car - http://www.sonyclassics.com/whokilledtheelectriccar/
7-27-2007 @ 12:19AM
Mike N said...
Will the power plants be able to handle the extra capacity from plug in automobles?
7-27-2007 @ 6:07AM
zackery Shoemaker said...
Why only plugins and diesel fuel? Think Natural Gas. Think U.S Energy Initatives Corporation. THink!
7-28-2007 @ 9:08PM
Lyle D said...
To learn more about the Volt and it's economic ramifications, go to http://www.gm-volt.com
7-30-2007 @ 10:44AM
Marshall said...
7 miles to a charge, 20 miles, etc. Did not the EV1 get 125 miles to a charge and go 70 mph in 2001. Have we gone backwards this much, or is it more smoke.
7-31-2007 @ 7:22PM
Jongersh said...
The word is that a company called Odyne (stock symbol - ODYC) has some made some technologically advanced improvements with their hybrid system.
News reports are claiming that their in discussions with certain large townships and authorities around the U.S. and in Mexico to utilize their system.
It appears that Nissan is even considering their system.
8-09-2007 @ 12:55AM
Barry A Clarke said...
until Detroit learns that they can no long sell to the American public what they think we should have, the overseas market is going to continue to expand. GM has the Volt, but before it is put into production, they will lose out to Japan. Why? Because the muli-billion dollar minds from the US auto makers are worth about as much as Japan would pay for them. (that would be zero)