Plug-in Hybrids on the Way
It looks like Toyota is once again going to eat GM's, Ford's and Chrysler's lunch. Jim Press, president of Toyota Motor North America Inc. spoke at the National Press Club on Tuesday, July 18th and let it be known that Toyota won't stop at straight gas-electric hybrids but plans to explore going further in the direction of battery power with development of a plug-in car. Now unless the electricity comes from hydro, wind or nuclear, we probably won't cut down on our use of oil. But, with a plug-in hybrid we might approach the magic 100 mile per gallon mark! I'd end up using 4 gallons a week vs. 22 gallons and saving over $50!
I guess what I don't understand is why the not so big three are not moving more quickly to provide more efficient vehicles. Instead, they are laying off workers, moving plants to Mexico and building a new generation of muscle cars. Honestly, I love the new Mustang, Camaro and Charger. But, the average family is getting squeezed by gas prices and that affects the American economy. $50 a week will buy a lot of groceries, pay for a dinner for two in a family restaurant or for those less fortunate, pay the heat bill in the dead of winter.
Electric power has been around since a teenaged Ferdinand Porsche was winning races on Austria's Semmering Highway with his front wheel drive electric back in 1900. Not only that, but Porsche actually created a gas/electric hybrid, the "Mixt", that ultimately saw service on fire-fighting trucks in Vienna and London.
So, here we are over 100 years later, with Toyota leading the way back to battery power while the domestic OEM's scratch their heads and wonder why sales are down. What's wrong with this picture?
I guess what I don't understand is why the not so big three are not moving more quickly to provide more efficient vehicles. Instead, they are laying off workers, moving plants to Mexico and building a new generation of muscle cars. Honestly, I love the new Mustang, Camaro and Charger. But, the average family is getting squeezed by gas prices and that affects the American economy. $50 a week will buy a lot of groceries, pay for a dinner for two in a family restaurant or for those less fortunate, pay the heat bill in the dead of winter.
Electric power has been around since a teenaged Ferdinand Porsche was winning races on Austria's Semmering Highway with his front wheel drive electric back in 1900. Not only that, but Porsche actually created a gas/electric hybrid, the "Mixt", that ultimately saw service on fire-fighting trucks in Vienna and London.
So, here we are over 100 years later, with Toyota leading the way back to battery power while the domestic OEM's scratch their heads and wonder why sales are down. What's wrong with this picture?
posted by Jim at
2:33 PM
1 Comments:
Fair enough but timing is everything. I drive a Tahoe and love it but will welcome a hybrid version that approaches 30 mpg. Thanks for the comment. We just launched the site and were wondering if anyone had found us. Hope you'll enjoy the video programs. We did a story on the EV1 and on the Sunracer years ago and hope to do a story on the GM turnaround soon.
By
Jim, at 5:11 PM
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