As Toyota plans to bring a fuel cell vehicle to market in 2015, its researchers continue to work on next-generation battery technologies. In a presentation at the International Meeting on Lithium Batteries in Como, Italy, Dr. Hideki Iba from Toyota’s Battery Research Division and Dr. Chihiro Yada from Toyota Motor Europe’s Advanced Technology Group noted… Read more »
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Is Toyota still interested in battery EVs after all?
Recently, the EV press, including Charged, has been reporting that Toyota seems to be placing all its chips on fuel cells, and abandoning efforts to develop battery-electric vehicles. However, comments by Elon Musk at Tesla’s first-quarter shareholders’ meeting imply that there may be more to the story. In answer to a question about competition from… Read more »
Toyota makes it official: Battery EVs stink, fuel cells rule
A top Toyota executive has confirmed what was already apparent to EV industry insiders: the Japanese automaker is placing all its chips on hydrogen fuel cell technology, and abandoning efforts to develop battery-electric vehicles. In an interview with Automotive News at Fortune magazine’s Brainstorm Green conference, Jim Lentz, CEO of Toyota North America, said that Toyota believes battery-electric vehicles are viable only… Read more »
Toyota developing free-piston engine linear generator for electric drive vehicles
A team at Toyota Central R&D Labs is developing a prototype Free Piston Engine Linear Generator (FPEG), which they described at the recent SAE 2014 World Congress in Detroit. Unlike a traditional ICE, which propels a drive shaft, the FPEG is designed to generate electricity directly. It consists of a two-stroke combustion chamber, a linear… Read more »
Toyota begins testing wireless charging system
Toyota will begin verification testing of its newly developed wireless charging system in late February. Toyota developed the system in cooperation with WiTricity, an MIT spin-off that the automaker has been cooperating with for several years. Toyota Managing Officer Satoshi Ogiso announced in August that the next-generation Prius Plug-in Hybrid would include a wireless charging… Read more »
October plug-in sales: Toyota (or Ford?) snatches the lead
The three front-runners in the plug-in sales race are swapping some major paint – Toyota’s Prius Plug-in Hybrid edged into the lead with 2,095 sales for the month of October. Sales of the PPI have soared over the past three months after languishing in triple digits earlier in the year. It now looks likely that… Read more »
Toyota expands Japanese charging infrastructure
In a sign that the world’s largest automaker may be getting more charged, Toyota has announced that it will carry out verification tests in Aichi Prefecture, Japan to “assess the practicality of the widespread deployment of chargers for plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles.” The tests are a continuation of a similar program implemented in 2012,… Read more »
Toyota reduces MSRP for 2014 Prius Plug-in
Toyota is the latest automaker to pare its plug-in prices, announcing a reduction of over $2,000 in the MSRP for the 2014 Prius Plug-in Hybrid. Starting MSRP will be $29,990 for the base model and $34,905 for the Advanced model. The Advanced model will offer an optional Technology Package that includes a couple of autonomous… Read more »
Toyota increases production of lithium-ion batteries
Toyota and Panasonic plan to build a new $194-million production line to produce Li-ion batteries, with a capacity of 200,000 units per year.
Toyota to defend Pikes Peak title with new and improved electric racer
Last year, its TMG EV P002 electric race car finished the 12.42-mile uphill course in 10 minutes, 15:38 seconds, and Toyota hopes to better that time with an improved model.