Toyota to sell plug-in hybrids by 2011
- Source: Global Times
- [11:35 December 15 2009]
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Toyota Motor Corp.'s plug-in hybrid car Prius is displayed during the Eco-Products 2009, Eco Style Fair, in Tokyo (Shuji Kajiyama / Associated Press)
Toyota Motor said Monday that it will start releasing its new plug-in hybrid Prius to Japan, the US and Europe by 2011, promising an "affordable" price for the green vehicle.
About 600 of the vehicles will be introduced -- 230 in Japan, 150 in the US and 200 in Europe – over the first half of 2010 starting in December 2009, the company said.
The plug-in Prius has a lithium ion battery and will travel 23.4 kilometers as an electric vehicle on a single charge, and get 57 kilometers a liter in mileage before the gasoline engine kicks in and the car drives like the standard Prius hybrid.
Executive Vice President Takeshi Uchiyamada said he could not give an estimate on the vehicle's price when it goes on sale in 2011.
Uchiyamada said many hurdles remain for electric vehicles to become widespread, including limited cruising range and cost of the battery, making a plug-in still the best practical option.
He said Toyota was waiting until 2011 before mass commercial sales to gain feedback from users during the leasing period.
Agencies and Shi Jierui contributed to this story
