Wednesday 10th September 2008

Toyota Plug-In Hybrid Launched

Taking the phrase 'plug and play' to a new level.

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A hybrid car which can be charged from a normal domestic electricity supply was launched earlier today.

The Toyota Plug-In-Hybrid-Vehicle is powered by a combination of a battery and a standard petrol engine.

On short journeys, the car uses electric power to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

Previous hybrid vehicles, such as the Toyota Prius could not be charged from the grid - the battery was charged as the car drove along.

Toyota believes the new development marks an important milestone in the move towards cleaner motor technology.

Initial tests on the vehicle will take place over the coming year, with 50 employees of the energy company EDF using the PHV for journeys in the Greater London area.

[Brink]

It'll still get vandalised though...

[seaodyssey]

A good idea as the government won't be able to tax the electricty at such a high rate as petrol, and thats why they want to bring in road pricing.

[<traction>action]

Might Buy one................

[Stig]

It's a good job electricity comes from such 'green' sources too isn't it...


...oh wait. errr...

Given the Prius can do all of about 500 metres on 'EV' (purely electric drive) - this is almost completely useless.

[Mclovin]

running this thing from edf is going to cost a bomb

[Mclovin]

even the aftermarket ones do 1000 miles to a tank, this proper yota plugin is going to run forever on a tank

[Tsiakosmantis]

AND THIS IS ON PISTONHEADS BECAUSE................

[XitUp]

Stig said:

It's a good job electricity comes from such 'green' sources too isn't it...


...oh wait. errr...

EDF are a pretty big investor in renewable energy aren't they?

Stig said:

Given the Prius can do all of about 500 metres on 'EV' (purely electric drive) - this is almost completely useless.

7 miles actually. And a plug in version will have a much bigger battery.

Nice try though.

[boardinscotland]

That will be so cheap to run. Oh wait they just put electricity prices up but a huge amount. Think I will stick to my Tiv Sure that will be cheaper to run.

[russellwatson17]

Just what the prius needs, a bigger battery thus more weight - Wonder what that will do to the handling?

[Negative Creep]

It will be great for the environment. As everyone knows, electricity just comes from nowhere and generating it causes no harm whatsoever. I can't see any flaws in this whatsoever.

[shoestring7]

[quote=<traction>action]Might Buy one................
[/quote]

Me too (no irony intended) The first manufacturer to bring one to the market in a family sized shape will get my order.

Leaves more oil for proper driving, not mimsing to the shops or the office.

SS7

[Droptheclutch]

Negative Creep said:

It will be great for the environment. As everyone knows, electricity just comes from nowhere and generating it causes no harm whatsoever. I can't see any flaws in this whatsoever.

You're almost right ;-)

Wind, sun, wave, hydroelectric...

www.goodenergy.co.uk - if you only charge your electric vehicles from home (presumably they supply business as well, so charge @ work for free? LOL) and buy your leccy from these folk I don't think too many could argue it isn't 'green' (ish) motoring (ignoring the fact that buying a new car isn't exactly green in the first place of course!)

But hey, it's got to start somewhere...

[f111lover]

You know I actually quite like the Prius, if I buy one for my primary motor it leaves more money for petrol for my V12.

[XitUp]

russellwatson17 said:

Just what the prius needs, a bigger battery thus more weight - Wonder what that will do to the handling?

Yup. Handling is the first thing that someone interested in buying a Prius would be worried about.

Negative Creep said:

It will be great for the environment. As everyone knows, electricity just comes from nowhere and generating it causes no harm whatsoever. I can't see any flaws in this whatsoever.

According to most 'well to wheel' studies even getting power from coal to run an electric car is cleaner and more efficient than any ICE engined one.

Edited by XitUp on Wednesday 10th September 15:04

[HairyHaggis]

Good reason to get yourself a Tesla now

http://www.teslamotors.com/

[rsv gone!]

Mclovin said:

running this thing from edf is going to cost a bomb

Imagine the length of lead you'd need, too

[Droptheclutch]

HairyHaggis said:

Good reason to get yourself a Tesla now

http://www.teslamotors.com/

I'd have one in a heartbeat if they were not so expensive:-(

[rockystarr]

Er, this is not enviromentally friendly, now I don't know much But The last time I checked our national grid does not use renwable energy. Why can someone develop a dynamo system to charge this battery like an alternator on a normal car?

[Taita]

Plugs into a 3 prong plug or needs a specialist station (as in pic)?