Comments on: Prius at 10

By: mark ephraim

mark ephraim — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 23:20:08 +0000

why dont we all just send our money to japan and make them richer; because thats better than buy a subcompact car for 30000 and look stupid.

By: Stanley

Stanley — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 18:43:39 +0000

There are large solar power projects under way and more planned. America can be the Saudi Arabia of solar power. We have to become energy independent while we still can. We are working on borrowed time. Peak oil is either here or coming soon. Let’s do it while we can!

By: rY.

rY. — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 21:35:15 +0000

Not so fast there! Even with 50% of U.S. power coming from coal plants (power generation in California comes almost entirely from a mix of natural gas, geothermal, and hydroelectric), plug-in hybrids STILL reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and most other pollutants compared with either conventional gasoline cars or "regular" hybrids, because so much of it comes out of tailpipes.

Using an external electrical source to supplement your hybrid's power also gives you the choice of where that power comes from. You can use local power (with most people charging their vehicles at night, this puts very little additional load on the local electric grid) or even generate power yourself with solar panels! Gasoline cars and traditional hybrids do not even give us this choice!

Also, nobody yet has fought an overseas war over electricity...

By: Eric S.

Eric S. — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 04:29:29 +0000

How do you think power is generated to the outlet? It is most likely by fossil fuel. It is great for the automotive companies that the vehicle can have better range from the batteries, but enviromentally it is not the solution.

By: Andy

Andy — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 14:46:20 +0000

Toyota will have Hybrid Versions of ALL their vehicles by 2010!!! Toyota is taking the lead on Hybrids with remarkable vehicles.

By: Dan

Dan — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 09:19:00 +0000

According to a short interview with Yoshihiro Onomura, ‘Director of Hybridsystem Development’, published in the swiss tabloid ‘Blick’, he declares that “their next step will be a plug-in hybrid whose battery can be charged at an outlet”.

(http://www.blick.ch/auto/artikel64343 /german)

Thought you might want to know.

By: Another Jake

Another Jake — Thu, 31 May 2007 16:37:44 +0000

Is there any published data on the life of the battery pack, with a curve to show decreasing capacity over time?

By: StevenC

StevenC — Tue, 29 May 2007 17:40:16 +0000

Toyota has successfully made it known that they are the hybrid experts. I congratulate them. I would love to see more hybrid models. I love my Highlander Hybrid. Thanks Toyota. Keep up the good work. Our world needs more businesses with your long term thinking

By: jake

jake — Tue, 29 May 2007 16:24:16 +0000

I think the goal at building the Prius was one of the important things that happened in the history of the hybrid car.

By: David Smith

David Smith — Fri, 25 May 2007 15:44:08 +0000

If you really want, and have enough money, you could buy a Prius and then have it modified to be a plug in that could operate as a full EV unless you need the extra range.
If you have a lot of time, and knowledge you could modify almost any vehicle to be a full electric. There are many that have done it, including the author of 'The Emperor's New Hydrogen Economy', Darryl McMahon. (a personal favourite)
Failing that, I think I heard that the Chevy Volt will be available in 2010.