Toyota has revealed a plan that will slowly disseminate the number of hybrids in the market, starting with the lease of 500 plug-in cars for the government and corporations while likewise stating that they will employ a mass production of the said vehicles by 2012. We are all aware that plug-ins are the better option when it comes to addressing transport and environmental problems and more importantly, this is the demand forecasted in the coming years.

To date, Toyota will aim to produce 20,000 to 30,000 unit by 2012, expecting the demand for these vehicles to balloon in the coming years. Toyota wants to price its plug-in hybrids at a comparable price to Mitsubishi Motors Corp’s all-electric car, which debuts this month to fleet customers in Japan at 4.59 million yen ($47,800) before government subsidies.

Toyota’s new Prius gasoline-electric hybrid costs less than half that, starting at 2.05 million yen in Japan. Toyota’s plug-ins will be able to run 20-30 km (12.4-18.6 miles) on battery power alone at full charge, the paper said.

(Source) Asia One

Tags: battery power, Cars, comparable price, corporations, electric car, environmental problems, fleet customers, gasoline, government subsidies, Japan, mass production, Mitsubishi, mitsubishi motors, mitsubishi motors corp, plug in hybrids, plug ins, Prius, Toyota

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Vehicle conversion systems aimed to address the growing issues of carbon emissions and energy consumption may soon be within reach as Foreign Affairs: Zero! has been selected as one of only twelve certified installation centers in the US to exclusively offer the HYMOTION L5 Plug-in Prius Conversion Module from A123 Systems. The L5 Module allows Foreign Affairs to convert Prius Hybrid Vehicles into Plug-in Hybrids (PHEV) capable of achieving 100+ Miles per Gallon.

A123 Systems officially announced the appointment for Foreign Affairs as a Certified HYMOTION Installation Partner (CHIP) in January 2009. “We applaud our nation’s administration for providing strong incentives for businesses, individual consumers, and municipalities to lower their carbon footprint through individual vehicles. The Plug-in Hybrid simply does just that,” continued Jonathan Ortiz. “Since the appointment from A123 Systems, we have created three new job positions and since filled them. We feel very proud to do our part in creating these ‘green-collar’ jobs intended by the Stimulus Act.”

Foreign Affairs: Zero! also represents other quality Zero-Emission Vehicles such as the All-Electric ZENN Car and the All-Electric Highway-Capable Vectrix Motor Scooter. Foreign Affairs:Zero! was chosen to be the exclusive Florida HYMOTION dealer for their strong support of environmental initiatives, outstanding business reputation, and their ongoing commitment to introducing advanced vehicle technologies.

(Source) Press

Tags: a123 systems, business reputation, carbon emissions, carbon footprint, conversion systems, energy consumption, environmental initiatives, foreign affairs, hybrid vehicles, hymotion, motor scooter, plug in hybrid, plug in hybrids, Prius, Stimulus, vehicle conversion, zenn car, zero emission vehicles

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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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With the growing demand and potential influx of hybrid and electric vehicles, the next thing that has to be addressed is where they can be technically plugged in. With that said, Northeast Utilities announced today it is in the initial stages of developing an electric charging infrastructure for plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) in Connecticut and Massachusetts.

The initiative supports regional and national policy goals which include reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on petroleum-based resources.

“We see extraordinary potential in electric transportation as one of the tools to help meet the environmental and energy policy objectives of our regional and national leaders,” said James B. Robb, NU senior vice president of enterprise planning and development. “As the next generation of vehicles gets introduced, likely late in 2010, we want to be sure that New England is among the first markets. The development of a charging infrastructure is important, both to support the adoption of these exciting new vehicles and to allow us to assess the impact on our electric distribution system.”

“Plug-in hybrids and other electric vehicles are going to be important components of our green energy future, but they won’t work without a network of charging stations. I applaud Northeast Utilities for looking into the future and making this initial proposal to meet that need in their service territories,” said Philip Giudice, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources.

Several car manufacturers have announced roll-out plans for their new plug-in EV models, with expected “miles-per-gallon-equivalent” ratings of at least 80 to 150 MPGe. According to Stoddard, the near-term availability of new EVs in New England will depend on how “plug-in ready” our states and communities are. This initiative, potential tax incentives and other favorable state and local policies are important factors in speeding the arrival of electric vehicles onto the streets of New England.

(Source) Press

Tags: electric distribution system, electric transportation, electric vehicles, green energy, greenhouse gas emissions, plug in hybrids, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, tax incentives

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Don’t look now but it looks like Toyota is looking beyond the plug-in hybrids and may yet unveil a new solar-powered car to add to its roster of vehicles today. With the car industry looking at all angles on logical cars to unveil in the market, including the elements of where they get their energy for transportation has become an important point of consideration considering that fuel consumption is no longer that feasible and has limited people as far as car choices are concerned.

Most car companies today are focusing on the use of alternative fuel while others have invested heavily in electric means. But solar power has not yet dominated the market and it seems we may be seeing that increase soon as well. Toyota, of course, will not allow itself to be left behind!

According to Japanese newspaper The Nikkei, Toyota Motor Corp. is currently working on a car that will be powered only by solar energy. While solar panels on the roof of a vehicle alone would not provide enough power for long distance trips, it’s believed that the system will include a solar array for use at home that the car would plug into when not in use.

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Tags: alternative fuel, car industry, fuel consumption, nikkei, plug in hybrids, solar array, solar car, solar energy, solar panels, solar power, solar powered car, Toyota, toyota motor, toyota motor corp

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