A Gen-III w/ PanasonicEV Prismatic Li-Ion's!
Wayne Gerdes -
CleanMPG - June 3, 2009
2010 Toyota Prius-III PHEV's being readied for Japan first with the US and Europe to follow.
Tokyo, Japan -- Toyota releases details on its PHEV lease program within Japan. In collaboration with local governments, the program aims to promote the widespread use of PHEV's and EVs.
Toyota is developing a PHEV based on the third-generation "Prius" equipped with a lithium-ion battery that can be charged via external power sources such as household electricity. This will be the first time a lithium-ion battery is to be employed in a Toyota vehicle for propulsion. Starting at the end of 2009, Toyota plans to lease approximately 200 vehicles to designated users.
A PHEV operates as an EV when used for short distances and as a conventional hybrid vehicle when used for medium to long-distance trips. This means it can be used regardless of remaining battery power or availability of battery-charging infrastructure in place. Furthermore, PHEVs are expected to limit consumption of fossil fuels, reduce CO2 emissions and atmospheric pollution, and by charging with off-peak electricity, offer a far more economical vehicle powering solution.
Toyota believes in the diversification of energy sources and PHEVs are currently the most suitable environmentally considerate vehicles for widespread use. The marketing of PHEVs will begin in earnest with 500 - 2010 Prius-III - PHEVs released globally to improve the vehicles for general consumption sometime in late 2010. In total, 200 PHEVs will go to Japan, 150 to the US and 150 to Europe; including 100 in France given the majority of its electric power is produced CO2 emissions free with Nuclear.
Toyota's hybrid technology is a core value of environmentally conscious vehicle production and will be using them in the development not only of PHEVs but also EVs and FCV's. Toyota.
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