Toyota EV coming to the U.S. in 2012?
Click on the image above for a high-res gallery of Toyota's FT-EV concept
Toyota has announced that they will be selling a new pure electric vehicle in the U.S. by 2012. We're guessing that it could be a production version of the FT-EV concept that Toyota showed at the Detroit Auto Show. Based on the iQ urban runabout sold overseas, the diminutive city car could meet some of Toyota's stated goals pretty easily. Toyota's national alternative-fuel vehicle manager, Bill Reinert, said the company is "looking for a 50-mile range right now," even when features like the defroster, heater, windshield wipers and stability control are in operation.
The car is expected to be powered by lithium-ion batteries. Reinert wants a charge time of about six hours using a conventional 110-volt household outlet or about two hours using a 220-volt outlet. Toyota still hasn't decided whether or not the car will be available for purchase or if it will be lease only. Where and for how much they'll be sold hasn't been ironed out yet either, but we'll be sure to fill in some of the details as they are issued.
Gallery: Detroit 2009: Toyota FT-EV Concept
[Source: Automotive News, sub. req.]
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Animal 8:38PM (1/20/2009)
I bet this car will beat the volt to production...
Reply
ken_aisin 9:03PM (1/20/2009)
Good news, but can we have it in a better looking package??
Reply
wayne 9:25PM (1/20/2009)
I agree, but this package will look a helluva lot better at $4 or $5 gallon of gas
ken_aisin 9:33PM (1/20/2009)
No, I'll buy a Volt. At least the Volt looks more like a regular car, and it's designed and built in America :)
FThorn 9:45PM (1/20/2009)
That car looks perfect for Doug Henning.
Reply
JDMlover 10:00PM (1/20/2009)
Love the idea of the car,
But at least make it look much better toyota !
Reply
big J 10:21PM (1/20/2009)
looks better than the smart fortwo
Reply
GOT 5:37AM (1/21/2009)
Agreed. I think the iQ (particularly this variant) is a great looking design for an A-car.
Galley 9:07AM (1/21/2009)
Yeah. 220... 221, whatever it takes.
Reply
Toy Yoda 9:29AM (1/21/2009)
One thing I don't get with these compact electric cars is that they are meant for urban settings. Yet, an urban dweller will most likely not have a garage, at least in my city. So he/she won't have access to a plug out by the curb to charge his car.
So, I'm not sure how they plan to solve the latter problem, since the biggest benefit of these cars to society will be in service to this population, in my opinion.
Reply
dkw 10:48AM (1/21/2009)
Hey, that's a really good point.
Rick 10:07AM (1/21/2009)
When it does come here, I hope it comes looking different than what's shown above.
Reply
Ray 11:53PM (2/01/2009)
For an ugly looking car, Toyota, you have one of the top three all in that one. Even the Renault 4 CV from the 1950's is better looking, and it would seat four folks and got 40 to 45 mpg when gas was under twenty cents a gallon.
Reply