2012 Nissan Versa Recalled For Transmission...
News
Reviews
Guides
Gas Mileage
Car Types

Report: Toyota Commits to Launching All-Electric Car in 2010

 
10 13,616 views July 29, 2009

Toyota EV

Toyota EV

Enlarge Photo

At the Detroit Auto Show in January 2009, Toyota revealed its electric iQ city car.  At the time is was purely a concept and Toyota did not state its intentions to get into the pure electric car game.  Indeed Toyota's longstanding reluctance to build pure electric cars is understandable as they might compete directly against their flagship green car Prius which took so long to make popular.  With all they've invested in hybrid technology marketing a pure EV might in some ways be shooting themselves in the foot.

Nonetheless it appears Toyota has succumbed to the global pressure and is now committed to building the car and launching it in 2010.

According to the iQ's chief engineer Hiroki Nakajima, the electric version of the iQ, internally known as the BEV will not compete directly against the gas iQ.

It will "get its own bodywork”, he said. “We wanted to position the iQ as premium, but not so the BEV.”

The tiny car will actually utilize in-wheel electric motors and have a 93 mile all electric range and take 7 hours to charge.

Interior materials will be upgrade compared to the concept.  This would be Toyota's first car to use mass produced lithium ion batteries that are being assembled in a joint venture between the automaker and Panasonic.

Source (Autocar)





Posted in:
 
Contribute
Send us a tip Comment Contact the editor
Follow Us

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

  • Posting indicates you have read this site's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Comments (10)

  1. By  Todd Horst Posted: 7/29/2009 5:01am PDT

    At what price range though? I would pay around 15,000 but i dont think i can justify much more for a small car.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  2. By Jason M. Hendler Posted: 7/29/2009 5:35am PDT

    Considering Toyota won't even consider an E-REV, stating their parallel hybrid meets that requirement, it only makes sense that they would pursue both a BEV and a FCV. I personally believe it is too soon for either of those configurations, and that E-REV's with alternative fuel ICE's and fuel cells are the next best step.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  3. By James E Posted: 7/29/2009 7:23am PDT

    Good news! Almost every automaker will be launching a BEV in 2010 or 2011. This will drive down the cost to a comparable gas vehicle. I can’t wait our next new car will be a BEV. NPNS!
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  4. By  maosud Posted: 7/29/2009 11:10am PDT

    Toyota had good electic car on the market! they kiled it.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  5. By seren Posted: 7/29/2009 11:29am PDT

    The gas version of the SCION IQ coming in months will get average 42/52 without any hybrid technology, and base around $13k ! So why add $5k to the price for all electric ??? I dont get it ???
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  6. By Mark Posted: 7/30/2009 6:48am PDT

    @ Seren
    An EV would get a much better MPG rating as the hybrid has to carry the weight of both the ICE and the battery. An EV would be much lighter and would have a pretty good range. I for one would happily pay $5 more to have an EV or a hybrid.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  7. By albert miller Posted: 1/17/2010 12:50am PST

    Where is the compressed air car? This is the real answer.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  8. By Allannde Posted: 2/10/2010 11:52am PST

    This may be the prototype electric car of the future if batteries do not improve much.
    When internal combustion engine cars become impractical, this type of electric car together with wide spread use of high speed rail (electric) may just be the way people get around. Electric cars will never replace gasoline powered cars for long trips without a different way of storing electricity. I love my little electric car but I don't expect more than short trips from it.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  9. By corina atcherson Posted: 3/30/2010 11:01am PDT

    Hello!
    Is everyone forgetting that this technology has been perfected over ten years ago? Some of these vehicles were salvaged and are worth almost 6 figures (eBAY). Welcome, the Re-Birth of the electric car with petroleum investors modifications! Of course!
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

  10. By DeWayne Posted: 7/9/2010 9:42am PDT

    I am very suspicious that Toyota in stepping out with an EV development plus actual production, felt as result the after effect of Oil/Corp-Gov 'blowback' (ending much of what might have been).
    There is probably no chance of seeing an affordable and long-range EV vehicle until the Three-Sisters have taken over the Auto-Industry world wide.
     
    Post Reply
    Vote
    Bad stuff?

 

Have an opinion?Join the conversation!

Find Green Cars

Go!


More from High Gear Media

 
 
Green Car Reports
  • Follow Us
  • Twiiter
  • Facebook
 
 
© 2011 Green Car Reports. All Rights Reserved. Green Car Reports is published by High Gear Media. Send us feedback.
 

Use the form below to send us a tip, give us feedback, or just say hello.

(max 750 characters)