Toyota's Plug-in Prius: Out of the Pod, Into the Podcast

Toyota's plug-in Prius comes out of the closet. No translation needed. Take a look.

http://toyota.pod.tv/jp/tech/environment/phv/conference/driving_300.wmv

Main Specifications of Toyota Plug-in HV
Vehicle Name TOYOTA Plug-in HV
Length / Width / Height 4,445 / 1,725 / 1,490mm
Weight 1,360kg
Seating capacity 5 persons
Performance in
electric vehicle mode Cruising range 13km in the 10-15 Japanese test cycle
Maximum vehicle speed 100km/h
Engine Displacement 1,496cc
Maximum output 56kW(76PS) / 5,000rpm
Maximum torque 110N-m (11.2kg-m) / 4,000rpm
Motor Type AC synchronous motor
Maximum output 50kW(68PS) / 1,200 — 1,540rpm
Maximum torque 400N-m(40.8kg-m) / 0 — 1,200rpm
Secondary battery Type Nickel-metal hydride
Capacity 13Ah (6.5Ah x 2)
Rated voltage 202V
Overall system Maximum output* 100kW (136PS)
Voltage 202 — 500V
Battery charging Power source Household electrical power
Charging time 1 — 1.5hrs (200V), 3 — 4hrs (100V)
*Based on TMC calculations; output that the system can achieve using engine power and electric motor power (electric motor power is dependent on battery power)

Ford in the PHEV Race, too?

MSNBC and NBC News have report on plug-in hybrids, focusing on the Volt. But there's some news about Ford, too, buried within.

Ford is also in the plug-in game and could get to the finish line first. It is already testing two plug-in hybrids, [Ford's Sue] Cischke told the Chicago Tribune, and it expects to deliver the first road-ready vehicles for testing in California by 2009.

Hat tip to Earl Killian

Plug-in Hybrid Race on as Toyota Tests NiMH PHEV; A123 Challenges CARB to Authorize Conversions

From today's NY Times
Toyota to Test Plug-In Hybrid, Rivaling G.M.

Toyota said it would provide prototype versions of plug-in hybrid vehicles to researchers at the University of California, Irvine, and the University of California, Berkeley....The prototype plug-in hybrids will be powered by two oversize packs of nickel-metal hydride batteries

Yesterday, in Sacramento A123Systems, the battery manufacturer being used by GM for the Vue and Volt, challenged CARB not to wait for OEM plug-ins. It want CARB to authorize aftermarket conversions of hybrids with its Lithium batteries.