Eco Factor: Low-emission hybrid cars powered by gasoline and electricity.
Toyota has announced that the company is planning to mass produce plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) in 2012. The plan is to produce over 20,000 PHEVs that will be priced at $48,000. The good new ends here, as the company states that the new cars, which are expected to be based on the 3rd generation Toyota Prius platform, will have an all-electric range of just about 30km.
Paying $20,000 more than a regular Toyota Prius for just ±15 miles electric range doesn’t seem to get many interested consumers to Toyota’s showrooms in 2012. The small range means that mostly all owners will have to switch the gasoline engine on during the course of their day and the heavier batteries installed for the electric motors will have an impact the MPG of the car.
Via: Treehugger
