Japan: Toyota announces plug-in Prius hybrid prototype
Wednesday, July 25, 2007, AutomotiveWorld.com
Toyota has unveiled the 'Plug-in HV', a prototype test vehicle based on its hybrid Prius hatchback. The OEM says that Japan's ministry of land, infrastructure and transport has certified the plug-in hybrid vehicle for testing on public roads in the country.
The prototype vehicles uses both a 1.5-litre gasoline-powered internal combustion engine and an electric motor. The gasoline engine delivers 75hp (56kW) of maximum power and 110Nm of maximum torque, while the electric motor produces 67hp (50kW) peak power and 400Nm of maximum torque. In the electric vehicle mode, the vehicle has a cruising range of 13km on one charge and a top speed of 100km/h.
Toyota says that it will not commercialise the Toyota Plug-in HV in its present form as it uses nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries instead of the more advanced lithium-ion batteries, according to a Reuters report.
The vehicle has increased battery capacity which offers it a longer electric-motor only cruising range, while a battery-charging device allows users to recharge the batteries using household electricity.
Toyota says that it will use eight prototype units of the Toyota Plug-in HV for the public road tests which will evaluate electric-motor only cruising ranges and maximum battery capacity. The OEM will also provide data for formulating testing methods for emissions and fuel efficiency to the government.
Toyota also has plans to conduct public road tests of the plug-in hybrid vehicle in the US and Europe.
Published on Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Free e-newsletters
Our free E-Newsletter service is an excellent way of staying up to date with news and features from around the global auto industry.
