Tag Archives: toyota hybrid

Volkswagen Claims 14 Electric and Hybrid models by 2014

In the latest round of environmental press releases, the German Volkswagen Group said it will be “electrifying” all its vehicle classes,starting with 14 electric and hybrid models by 2014. Continue reading

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Audi Hybrid on Pole at Le Mans. Toyota Hybrid Third on Grid

Toyota in its first big time endurance race in years split the two Audi hybrids by putting its #8 Davidson-Buemi-Sarrazin TS030 hybrid in third position on the starting grid – just 1.055s off the leading pace, and in front of the second Audi Hybrid entry. Continue reading

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Toyota Prius Plug-In Gets California and Federal Subsidies

Prius Plug-in is Toyota’s first application using a lithium-ion battery pack, which it claims increases its overall fuel economy and has charging times of only 2.5 to 3 hours using a standard 120-volt outlet or 1.5 hours using 240v, which would cost at least $1,000 for a home installation.

The largest Japanese automaker, and hybrid technology leader, resisted using lithium ion batteries for years. However, political and marketing pressure, as well as government regulations favoring the controversial technology, has forced Toyota to embrace the plug-in concept, which is years or more from practical use unless you use the new “green math” to justify its steep price. Continue reading

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Ford and Toyota to Develop a New Hybrid System for Light Trucks and SUVs as well as Future Telematics Standards

Both companies of course are heavily invested in fuel thirsty larger trucks, with Ford’s best selling vehicle the F-Series pickup rated at 16 mpg on the EPA city test cycle. The F-Series has been the U.S.’s best selling truck for the past 34 years with year-to-date sales of 313,000 units. Toyota before the Great Recession invested billions in full-size trucks and SUVs. Both the Tundra pickup and Sequoia full-size SUV have been sales disasters. Continue reading

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