BUILDING ON NEWS in August that Toyota has developed advanced lithium-ion battery technology, Japanese newspaper Yomiuri is reporting that larger Toyota hybrids are on the way.
While the carmaker’s current hybrid models use older nickel-metal hydride systems, the new models - possibly a wagon or an SUV - would utilise the higher output and capacity offered by lithium-ion technology.
The report suggests that the new model would sell in Japan for the equivalent of $23,500. The report did not specify if this figure included the numerous government subsidies offered for eco-friendly cars in Japan.
The Yomiuiri newspaper said that Toyota in Japan had declined to comment on its future hybrid models, but that it believes the new model would appear before the end of next year.
Toyota is keeping quiet on the details of its new technology, but Japan’s Nikkei newspaper reported in August that the new batteries could extend the range of an electric vehicle almost tenfold.
Toyota already offers a hybrid SUV in the form of the Lexus RX 450h, but like the Prius, it uses a nickel-metal hydride battery in its combined petrol-electric system.
The world number one carmaker unveiled a Prius-based wagon last year in the form of the Toyota Hybrid X (top), featuring design and technology elements that the carmaker said could feature in future hybrid models.
Loading ...
Comments
Click here to jump to Add Comment box
How do you get a picture next to your name?
Get a Gravatar. Click here to find out more.
Just as long as the idiots who get suckered into buying these “green” cars realise just how un-green they are… Sure, they’re great once they’ve been built, but the actual production of these cars from woe to go is one of the most heavily-polluting productions in the industry. The metals are mined in one continent, taken on a huge diesel-driven freight ship to another continent, refined in a hideously polluting process, shipped on another huge freighter to another continent, refined some more, shipped some more, pieced together, and then shipped from Japan to Australia. Anyone else think this might not be the “greenest” way to do it?
Google the following for some enlightenment: “Prius vs Hummer” and “Prius vs BMW”
“The metals are mined in one continent, taken on a huge diesel-driven freight ship to another continent, refined in a hideously polluting process, shipped on another huge freighter to another continent, refined some more, shipped some more, pieced together, and then shipped from Japan to Australia. ”
As opposed to the rest of the car which is built using clouds and rainbows…?
Kieran, your story sounds very similar to the way we get our petrol…. oil is mined in 1 country, sent on huge diesel driven ships to another, just to then refined & then sent out on huge trucks,
just to be burnt in gas guzzling cars!
Smart move by Toyota. This could be a huge success. I think Toyota will soon launch Prius sub-brad with several Prius models
Kieran makes a good point. Hybrids still use petrol to, and the amount they save really will take many years to make up the increased CO2 outputs their manufacturing creates.
Think about things, don’t just believe what you see in the media.