Previously they have only openly committed to produce about 500 plug-in Priuses for global fleet testing by the end of this year.
According to the Japanese newspaper Nikkei, that's all about to change.
Toyota has now committed to mass producing plug-in hybrid cars in 2012. These cars will apparently be plug-in hybrids, not pure electrics or EREVs. The company intends to produce from 20,000 to 30,000 in the first year. They are expected to be able to drive from 12.4 to 18.6 miles on battery power alone. Of course like most plug-in hybrid designs, the gas engine could operate even within that range when needed for power.
Toyota has already well-established a joint venture with Panasonic for the production of lithium-ion batteries to power these cars.
Toyota is also said to want to price the car similarly to the Mitubishi i MiEV 100 mile range pure electric car which has already gone on sale in Japan. That vehicle costs $47,800 before subsidies.
Thus Toyota has now joined the growing list of automakers hoping to mass produce electric cars. Though the EREV design of the Chevy Volt may be the most logical, there will clearly be some very significant competition of all types in a few short years.
And so it is clear on this Independence Day that this country's freedom from oil may fast become a reality. Happy 4th of July to all.
Source ( Reuters )
