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Toyota joins race to build all-electric vehicles

 
4 3,567 views August 31, 2008

Toyota joins race to build all-electric vehicles

Toyota joins race to build all-electric vehicles

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Next year will see the launch of Toyota’s third-generation Prius, and the year after that the introduction of what could possibly the world’s first mass produced plug-in hybrid, however the carmaker is also working on a third eco-friendly technology – the all-electric car. Until now, Toyota had been reluctant to develop all-electric vehicles, but recent comments from its president confirm that the original unwillingness has changed.

The all-electric car will be “mass-produced” in the early 2010s, President Katsuaki Watanabe revealed to Bloomberg reporters in Tokyo this past week. Tests of rechargeable plug-in Prius models, previously set for 2010, were also moved up to late 2009, he revealed. This means that Toyota will likely beat General Motors in the race to launch a plug-in hybrid as the Chevrolet Volt isn’t due to go on sale until late 2010.

Toyota’s all-electric car will be a small city car and will be powered by lithium-ion batteries.

Both Nissan and Mitsubishi have confirmed plans to launch all-electric vehicles by 2010, and even Mercedes-Benz and BMW are looking at the possibility of launching their own versions.



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Comments (4)

  1. By Gus Posted: 8/31/2008 11:14am PDT

    All electric makes perfect sense as a second car, and if you have a garage to plug into...
     
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  2. By bambam Posted: 8/31/2008 11:55am PDT

    All right, I thought I was left with the only option of getting a Mitsubishi electric in 2009.
    a great car for the everyday shopping.
     
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  3. By NoNameDenton Posted: 8/31/2008 8:05pm PDT

    Well, who did not see that coming, everyone is doing it.
     
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  4. By Laz Posted: 9/2/2008 1:56pm PDT

    I hope the EV Prius comes with solar panels like the hybrid model.
     
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