Toyota Announces a Plug-In Hybrid by 2010

June 11, 2008

Japan can marker, Toyota, announced today that the company will introduce a plug-in hybrid vehicle by 2010. This will further help consumers cut their carbon footprint and fight global warming. This announcement was part of a further emphasis on developing Toyota’s ‘green’ strategy.

The new model, whose name is yet to be released, will use a next generation lithium-ion battery instead of the nickel hydride batteries that are now the standard in hybrid vehicles. Lithium-ion batteries can store more energy and take up less space. However, they are not as stable, although this is a problem that is being remedied by current research.

More controversially, lithium-ion batteries produce a lot of carbon emissions when they are produced. So while driving the car will reduce your carbon footprint when you own it, it comes with a significant carbon footprint even before you drive it off the lot.

The new vehicle is a joint venture with Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. They plan to start producing the batteries in 2009 and ramping up to full product by 2010.

Toyota has already enjoyed great success with their environmentally friendly strategy of small cars and hybrids. To date, the company has sold close to 1.5 million hybrids cars, 1 million of which are the Prius model, which has become a symbol of the green movement.

In addition to the new plug-in hybrid, Toyota president also said they were setting up a new research facility to look specifically at battery technology and finding a replacement to the lithium-ion battery. The company is also working on developing vehicles that use fuel cell technology, though no time frame has yet been announced. Fuel cell vehicles only emit water, a big reduction to your carbon footprint.

Addressing their overall strategy, Toyota President said, “Without focusing on measures to address global warming and energy issues, there can be no future for our auto business.”

Toyota is now very close to overtaking GM as the number on auto manufacturer in the world, largely due to their environmentally friendly strategy. Conversely, GM is just now changing tack to try to reach this new market niche and moving away from the large SUVs that have been their mainstay for years.

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