Toyota Rethinks Popularity Of PHEV

In an article in Popular Mechanics, officials from Toyota say that the commercial popularity of the PHEV may never live up to the hype surrounding the technology. While manufacturers - including Toyota and GM - race to bring PHEVs to market, the company acknowledges that the challenges faced by the technology may be too difficult to overcome.

The company cites the cost of lithium-ion batteries, the widespread availability of recharging facilities, and the impact on the electric grid as potential obstacles to the technology's acceptance. Toyota's plug-in Prius is slated to go on the market in 2010, but will have an all-electric range of only about 10 miles, compared to the Volt's promised 40-mile all-electric range. The battery size of the Volt is substantially larger than that of the Prius. Larger batteries mean more design compromises, vehicle weight and replacement expense, if the batteries go bad.

Another question mark that remains is how consumers will use and recharge the vehicles. One possible scenario has the vehicles supplementing the electric grid during periods of high demand. In addition, the environmental benefits of the vehicle can only be realized if large numbers of these vehicles are placed into service. At the Volt's expected cost of $40,000, that remains doubtful.

All of these unknowns have Toyota questioning whether or not the PHEV will ever gain widespread consumer acceptance. Regardless of the unpredictable consumer appeal of the PHEV, Toyota and GM plan to forge ahead.

Source: Popular Mechanics