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Toyota to lease 500 Prius plug-in hybrids this year, 150 coming to U.S.

 
2 3,337 views Jun 3, 2009

toyota plug in hybrid prius live 05

toyota plug in hybrid uk test motorauthority 002

toyota plug in hybrid uk test motorauthority 002

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It's important to have a broad perspective in the auto business - tunnel-vision has been one of the biggest criticism of the American automakers. But seeing beyond the trees of economic meltdown to view the forest of the future industry is easier said than done. Toyota, however, is demonstrating its green-thinking by accelerating plans to start global trials of 500 plug-in hybrids by the end of the year.

The cars will be leased to government and commercial fleets, with 200 set to stay in Japan, a further 150 headed to Europe and the final 150 reserved for the U.S. market. The Prius plug-in hybrids are already averaging 65mpg in the combined cycle during initial testing - that's a 30% improvement over the standard 2010 Prius, recently certified as the most efficient hybrid in America.

"We have to look beyond the current financial crisis. We have to focus on R&D for today and the future," Toyota Europe CEO Tadashi Aarashima told Automotive News.

Emissions rules, fuel pricing and technology cost are all pointing toward hybrid success in the future, says Arashima, but surprisingly Toyota itself doubts the widespread acceptance of plug-in hybrids. Furthermore, some are arguing plug-in hybrids may be too expensive to justify, though Toyota's tack seems to be headed in the right direction.
Toyota plug-in hybrid Prius in UK
2010 Toyota Prius

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Comments (2)

  1. ma_samuelesm avatar samuelesm Posted: 3/4/2009 9:46am PST

    GM is screwed. :( too bad for America.
     
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  2. ma_Vinzer avatar Vinzer Posted: 6/4/2009 12:50am PDT

    Strange that Toyota is willing to go through with this when they've said recently they doubt the widespread acceptance of plug-in hybrids. Almost feels like they must be wasting their time if they think this isn't going to be popular. But whatever, Toyota's got money to blow, so might as well test some prototypes.
     
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