source : greencarcongress

 

excellent.

 

2007-07-25 11:12 ET - News Release

Tokyo, Japan -- (JCN Newswire) --

Tokyo, July 25, 2007 - (JCN Newswire) - TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announced today that it has developed a plug-in hybrid vehicle and become the first manufacturer to have such a vehicle certified for use on public roads in Japan.

The TOYOTA Plug-in HV-certified for public road-use by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport-uses, like earlier TMC-developed hybrid vehicles, both a gasoline-powered internal combustion engine and an electric motor. But increased battery capacity gives it a longer electric-motor-only cruising range and a battery-charging device allows users to replenish the batteries using household electricity. These features enable the vehicle to run more often in gasoline-free, electric-only mode, such as on short trips in city driving. The resulting fuel efficiency improvements mean lower CO2 emissions and less fossil fuel consumption and, therefore, less pollution. Also, charging the battery with less-expensive nighttime electricity lowers total running costs, providing an economic benefit to owners.

Although challenges still exist in the development of pure electric vehicles such as a limited cruising range and issues related to cost, TMC still views plug-in hybrid vehicles as a promising technology for allowing electricity to serve as a viable power source for automobiles and is committed to their continued development as a key environmental technology.

TMC plans to conduct public-road tests in Japan with eight units of the TOYOTA Plug-in HV to verify electric-motor-only cruising ranges and optimal battery capacity. While doing so, it plans to provide the government with data for formulating testing methods for emissions and fuel efficiency and to consider TMC's measures for promoting plug-in hybrids and the use of electricity. There are also plans to conduct public-road tests of the TOYOTA Plug-in HV in the United States and in Europe.


--- Main Specifications of Toyota Plug-in HV ------------
Vehicle
Name: TOYOTA Plug-in HV
Length/Width/Height: 4,445/1,725/1,490mm
Weight: 1,360kg
Seating capacity: 5 persons
Performance in electric vehicle mode
Cruising range: 13km in the 10-15 Japanese test cycle
Maximum vehicle speed: 100km/h
Engine
Displacement: 1,496cc
Maximum output: 56kW(76PS)/5,000rpm
Maximum torque: 110N-m (11.2kg-m)/4,000rpm
Motor
Type: AC synchronous motor
Maximum output: 50kW(68PS)/1,200-1,540rpm
Maximum torque: 400N-m(40.8kg-m)/0-1,200rpm
Secondary battery
Type: Nickel-metal hydride
Capacity: 13Ah (6.5Ah x 2)
Rated voltage: 202V
Overall system
Maximum output*: 100kW (136PS)
Voltage: 202-500V
Battery charging
Power source: Household electrical power
Charging time: 1-1.5hrs (200V), 3-4hrs (100V)

Based on TMC calculations; output that the system can achieve using engine power and electric motor power (electric motor power is dependent on battery power)

About Toyota Motor Corporation



Toyota Motor Corporation (TSE: 7203; NYSE: TM), established in 1937, is one of the world's representative automobile manufacturers, producing vehicles in 26 countries and regions and marketing vehicles in more than 170 countries and regions. In fiscal 2006, Toyota provided nearly eight million vehicles on a consolidated basis to customers around the world under the Toyota, Lexus, Daihatsu and Hino brands. Toyota had more than 280,000 employees at the end of fiscal 2006. The company is headquartered in Aichi, Japan. For more information, please visit www.toyota.co.jp/en/index.html .

Contact:
Toyota Motor Corporation
Corporate Communications Department
Public Affairs Division
Tel: +81-3-3817-9150
URL: http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/


Japan Corporate News Network. All rights reserved.

 

That can't be right.

A 200 cc scooter is faster...

 

That might be max speed under electric power, as the speed is listed under the heading "performance in electric vehicle mode".

What's encouraging is the cruising range, 13km in Japanese testing standards. A nice improvement over the cruising range of the regular Prius.

 

Yeah, that's in EV mode only. Note that at 1360kg, that's only 30kg more than the standard Prius (at least according to the Canadian brochure). Not bad.

Also, there's a video on the page SC500HH copied the article from. If he/she would like to post the source of his article so that people can access the video, that'll be great.

 

Here is the original source of the article, and inside you'll find the video link:

http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/news/07/0725.html

 

Thanks TRD!

 

I was hoping the Li-ion batteries were ready, but I bet Prius III will make Prius II look pretty outdated.

 

If even half the rumours about Prius III are true, then Prius II will most definitely look quite outdated . Current insider info from Japan is saying that Toyota and Panasonic are both trying hard in order to have li-ion batteries ready for the Prius III as soon as possible.

 

I hope so!!!

 

Ditto! can't wait to try out Prius III lol.

 

In the mean time, we love our Prius II I expect my family's next car will surely be a Prius III.