Toyota Unveils Plug-in Hybrid Details for Frankfurt Motor Show
9/10/2009
Just days before its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Toyota has unveiled more details about its upcoming Prius plug-in hybrid. The PHV concept will be based on the 3rd generation Prius’ Hybrid Synergy Drive, but will incorporate lithium-ion batteries for the first time in lieu of nickel metal hydride.
Toyota claims that when fully charged, the plug-in Prius will have a range of approximately 12 miles while being able to achieve a yet unspecified highway speed. Once the batteries are depleted, the Prius will revert back to normal hybrid mode, operating like a regular Prius. The ability to commute short distances in all-electric mode yet still continue on with hybrid mode is a similar concept to the Chevrolet Volt range-extended vehicle, and circumvents the limitations of today’s purely electric vehicles, such as the upcoming Nissan Leaf.
Toyota will begin long term testing in late 2009 by delivering an initial 500 plug-in Priuses to lease-fleet customers, 150 of which will be in the U.S. The program is intended to give Toyota real-world test data and feedback on the plug-in technology and its ease of use. Toyota will also use the test phase to evaluate the safety, reliability and performance of its first use of lithium-ion batteries.
Toyota’s lithium ion batteries were developed in-house and will be built on a joint venture PEVE (Panasonic EV Energy Company) assembly line in which Toyota owns a controlling 60% stake. According to Irv Miller, TMS Group vice president of environmental and public affairs, “The greatest hurdle in bringing to market a reliable lithium battery is mass production. We must have a production process that guarantees each battery will be identical in performance and quality.” The team is mentioned to already be at work on the next generation of battery, which Miller claims is “beyond lithium.”
The 150 vehicles to be leased in the U.S. will be set up in clusters to enable Toyota’s team to offer customer support and gain valuable feedback. “Although we like to be first to market with these technologies, it’s more important that we are best to market,” Miller states. “This demonstration program will ensure that the vehicles we bring to market will not just meet customer expectations, but exceed them.”
We expect Toyota to offer more details on the plug-in at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week as well as to reveal an availability timeline. The plug-in will be unveiled just weeks after Toyota reached 2 million in global hybrid sales.
