Toyota EV coming to the U.S. in 2012?

Toyota EV coming to the U.S. in 2012?

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Economy, Hybrids/Alternative, Hatchbacks, Toyota

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.]Toyota EV coming to the U.S. in 2012? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

More...