Toyota launches its first internal combustion hybrid lift truck, GENEO-HYBRID, an 8,000 lb. counterbalanced lift truck that combines a 2.5-liter diesel engine, electric motor and nickel-metal hydride battery to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by 50%. This new offering from Toyota Industrial Corporation will make its debut in the Japanese market this December.

As businesses look to reduce fuel costs and decrease CO2 emissions, Toyota Hybrid technology offers a practical, proven solution by capitalizing on the advantages of existing fuel sources and infrastructure. The new GENEO-HYBRID lift truck will cut CO2 emissions and fuel consumption in half while delivering the operational performance of an equivalent conventional diesel-powered lift truck. The result is a lift truck that provides both improved environmental performance and economic benefits for customers due to lower fuel costs.

“Toyota has been a leader in hybrid development for years with the very popular Prius vehicle,” said Brett Wood, president of TMHU. “We are excited to see hybrid technology entering the mainstream of material handling. This is a huge step forward for our industry.”

(Source) Press

Tags: co2 emissions, diesel engine, economic benefits, environmental performance, fuel consumption, fuel costs, fuel sources, hybrid development, hybrid technology, industry source, internal combustion, japanese market, nickel metal hydride, nickel metal hydride battery, Prius, toyota industrial

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While the entry of plug-in hybrid vehicles has been hailed as the ultimate solution to the growing problems of gas consuming cars as well as remedying the carbon emissions issue, not all motorists seem to be comfortable with the change in transport choices.

While improved fuel economy is the top reason cited for considering a plug-in hybrid, lower operating costs and positive environmental impact also contribute to interest. “With gasoline hovering around $2.00 per gallon, there is no real economic case for plug-in hybrids right now,” said Bryan Krulikowski, Morpace Vice President. “Those interested in plug-ins are also considering the non-economic benefits provided by the technology.”

Given the technology’s high up-front purchase cost, Krulikowski added, it’s not surprising that consideration is strongest among luxury car owners. However, those driving mid-size cars and minivans also tend to be more interested in plug-in hybrids.

The technology faces hurdles beyond purchase price. Among those not interested in plug-in hybrids, the primary concern is limited driving range during all-electric operation. “Consumers expect to drive more than 40 miles using only the electric motor,” Krulikowski said. “Further, the lack of infrastructure to support re-charging these vehicles weighs on consumers’ minds.”

Being able to re-charge the vehicle at home is important to 90 percent of consumers. Among all study respondents, 67 percent indicate having access to an outlet at the location where they park overnight. “That leaves a significant number of consumers who must rely on re-charging locations other than home,” Krulikowski pointed out. On average, consumers say they will pay $5.70 per hour to re-charge a plug-in hybrid at a public location.

(Source) Press

Tags: car owners, carbon emissions, driving range, economic benefits, economic case, environmental impact, fuel economy, hurdles, hybrid vehicles, luxury car, mid size cars, minivans, motorists, plug in hybrids, plug ins, public location, transport choices

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