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Toyota Prius Hybrid: First Generation


toyota prius hybrid

Electric vehicle development has been taking some unique twists and turns lately. The main challenge to date has been battery development (or the lack thereof). A purely electric vehicle powered by batteries alone still cannot compete with gasoline powered vehicles in terms of cost, convenience or range. Most of the electric vehicles that have been marketed to date get less than 100 miles per charge with lead-acid batteries. Recharging time is still slow, and batteries eventually have to be replaced at considerable cost. A variety of "high tech" batteries have been developed that have much higher storage capacity and range, but costs are still too high to compete with gasoline-powered vehicles.
Many say hydrogen-powered fuel cells will ultimately make the electric vehicle practical. Fuel cells combine hydrogen and oxygen to make electricity and water vapor. It's clean, efficient power. As fuel cells continue to improve, their costs are coming down. But production-ready fuel cells are still several years away.
For more information about fuel cells, read Jim Motavalli's book "Forward Drive." This book covers in depth the latest advancements in fuel cells, batteries and electric vehicle development. The book is available at Sierra Club Books or Random House Publishing
Until fuel cells are ready, hybrid gasoline-electric technology seems to be the best near-term solution to reducing emissions and doubling fuel economy. Hybrid vehicles use a small gasoline or direct injection diesel engine for light load operation and to charge an onboard battery. An electric motor then provides additional power for acceleration and higher loads. Think of hybrids as "electrically supercharged" vehicles.
Operating strategies vary, but most use some combination of internal combustion and electric power to optimize fuel economy, performance and emissions.
The hybrid approach can deliver extremely high fuel economy and ultra low emissions without sacrificing driving range, convenience or driving performance. It also eliminates the need for an electrical plug and charging station to recharge the onboard battery, and it allows the use of a much smaller battery to reduce weight, cost and bulk.
TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID
The new Toyota Prius Hybrid represents the current state-of-the-art in production hybrid electric vehicles.
The Prius, which goes on sale late this summer in the U.S., combines a 1496 cc 70 hp gasoline engine with a 40 hp electric motor to deliver 52 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on the highway, with a potential driving range of almost 700 miles on a single 13.2 gallon fillup. The base price is $19,995.

Toyota Prius hybrid gas-electric car
Toyota Prius hybrid gas-electric powertrain

 

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