Toyota's Multi-Model Hybrid Plan is Under Way
DETROIT--Toyota upped the ante in the green public relations war by unveiling two hybrid electric sport utility vehicles at the 2004 North American International Auto Show.
 |
| The Lexus RX 400h, a hybrid gas-electric version of the RX 330, was unveiled at the 2004 North American International Auto Show. (Photo: Joseph Cabadas, Canadian Auto Press) |
First is the Lexus RX 400h, the hybrid gas-electric version of the RX 330 that will go on sale later this summer. It will be followed by the 2006 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Both are midsize SUVs built off of the same platform, and will be manufactured at the Kyushu plant in Japan.
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) typically feature a gasoline or diesel internal combustion (IC) engine that is paired with at least one electric motor and a battery pack. In Toyota's case the IC engine and/or electric motor can then be used to power the wheels. The battery can power the electric motor alone, allowing the IC engine to shutdown when it's not needed, saving on fuel and reducing emissions.
 |
| The RX 400h and Highlander Hybrid (shown here) are "non-plug-in electrics," with internal combustion engines to recharge their battery packs. (Photo: Toyota Canada) |
Unlike battery-powered EVs, vehicles like the RX 400h and Highlander Hybrid are "non-plug-in electrics," meaning that they use their internal combustion engines to recharge the battery pack.
Toyota has raked in many accolades for its Prius HEV; among them, the revamped 2004 model was named the 2004 "North American Car of the Year" for the Detroit auto show.
While Honda fielded the first HEV to be available to consumers in North America, it was and still is a "mild hybrid" (vehicles that are only powered by their IC engines but use their battery packs to provide a power boost at critical times), the Insight, followed up by the much more functional Civic Hybrid.