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Toyota starts testing plug-in hybrids in Japan

 
2 3,057 views July 24, 2007

Toyota starts testing plug-in hybrids in Japan

Toyota starts testing plug-in hybrids in Japan

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Toyota has announced today that it has developed a new plug-in hybrid prototype based on the Prius and has started testing it in Japan with US tests to follow soon after. Toyota’s vice president in charge of powertrain development, Masatami Takimoto, revealed back in May that commercial production of plug-in hybrids is at least several years away but this latest announcement shows that it may not be too far away.

Engineers have increased battery capacity of the new car, which means it’ll be able to travel longer distances on electric power alone than previous prototypes. The vehicle has a cruising range of only 13km on a single charge and its trunk is completely filled with battery packs.

Weighing in at 1,360kg, the plug-in hybrid Prius can travel up 100km/h and takes roughly one and a half hours to charge using a regular household power outlet. Oddly enough, there are several private companies offering plug-in conversion kits for the Prius but Toyota warns any modifications will void warranties and that extra batteries can cause fires.



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Comments (2)

  1. By Gus Posted: 7/25/2007 10:03am PDT

    My guess is, even if you just left the battery packs the way they are, and offered a plug in system, you could reap rewards.
    Such that when you come home and the pack is depleted, at least you will have a full charge in the morning? Maybe it's just that the distance it can travel on battery alone is too small...
     
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  2. ma_tcrusi avatar tcrusi Posted: 10/22/2008 3:28pm PDT

    How mant miles between charges ? what is the mpg of the gas sytem? What is time on 0 to 60? Can Big people drive it? What's the tire size and wheel size? Can this car hold its own with the 18 wheelers on the highway without flinching ? I'm concerned about its muscle on the road. Does it sail at 70 mph? I want pick up,speed, and solidity. Is there a roll-over problem? Is there riding comfort after 7 hours?
    Are the rear tail lights nice and big and a little visible on the side? Are they high enough for trucks to see? Too many designers shrink the taillifghts to little round dots. Can this car handle a crash? Are the pasengeres protected adequately.
    Less fancy stuff and more solid car is what I want.
    Road Runner
     
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