With the autoblogosphere going ape over Toyota's hybrid three-fer, ToMoCo reps are tamping down the hype. Advanced Technology Group guru Bill Reinert tells Automotive News [sub] to chillax on the mpgs. "When we see the (claims of) 100 mile-per-gallon stuff, not everybody's going to get 100 miles per gallon." Toyota isn't backing away from its 40-mile, EV-only range for its forthcoming plug-in hybrids. But Reinert warns "the demands of real-world driving, such as rapid acceleration on freeway entrances, could dramatically reduce the all-electric range of plug-ins… just as some consumers have been disappointed by the real-world mileage of regular hybrids, plug-ins may not live up to those high hopes." Meanwhile, GM's "moon shot" plug-in electric – gas hybrid Hail Mary appears to run solely on media attention. In Jonathan Rauch's feature in the Atlantic Monthly, GM PR maven Steve Harris reveals that the Volt project came about because "The PR guys want something more sexy and dramatic, a singular point for our message. This issue of the environmental image was hurting the company substantially." Which will be as nothing compared to the hit to GM's rep if or when the Volt fails to meet its expected launch date or [as yet unspecified] price point.
7 Comments on “Toyota PHEV: You Mileage May Vary...”
Back to TopLeave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
You can also login using Facebook Connect.
Batteries!! That’s all we need to perfect. We need some major improvement. After this happens and 200 miles is easily achieved, EVs will dominate (we’ll still need the gas-elec hybrids for those that travel cross-state/country regularly, of course).
/tangent
I wonder how easily AWD will be to impliment on an EV.. Some cars already have more than one electric motor. I can see one per wheel in the future.. talk about regenerative braking and effective traction/stability control. No delays! With proper programming, imagine the possibilities! Of course, electrical nightmares are just as possible.. But maintenance on said systems would consist of.. nothing. Throw said setup on a subcompact hatch, and talk about fun ::grin::
/end tangent
Rapid acceleration on freeway entrances? Must be a shortage of old people wherever Bill Reinert lives.
Translation:
“You people don’t have any clue how to drive for efficiency, so don’t bitch if you’re flooring our plug-in hybrid and it doesn’t get you a gazillion miles per gallon.”
lmao @ translation.
But but, what’s the fun in having instant torque if you Don’t floor it??!
So wait, GM ADMITS the Volt project started solely to get more media attention!?
seoultrain:
very nice!!
I like the bit where the article quotes Andrew Farah (Chief Engineer of the Volt program) as saying “the car … is 10 weeks behind the original schedule. Any more slippage, and the 2010 deadline will be history. Even if no more time is lost, he will have only eight weeks to test the underbody, the car’s structural base.”
Andrew Farah then goes on to say “… in some cars … testing the underbody can take a year.”
Sounds like a rather optimistic timing plan to me!!!