If the United States is going to tackle oil use and carbon emissions in any significant way, the country will need to improve the efficiency of pickup-trucks—historically the largest segment and one of the least efficient. The Toyota A-BAT, which stands for “Advanced Breakthrough Aero Truck,” signaled a potentially radical shift in pickup design. The vehicle could have appealed to pickup drivers who seldom load lumber, but want versatility, roominess, and sleek styling. The concept version was loaded with gizmos, like translucent solar panels in the top of the dashboard and Wi-Fi capability.

While the A-BAT would achieve better fuel-efficiency by applying hybrid technology to a four-cylinder engine and an aerodynamic design, General Motors is using its two-mode hybrid system in the full-size 6.0-liter V8 Chevy Silverado Hybrid. The Silverado Hybrid tows 6,100 pounds and delivers fuel economy above 20 mpg. Chrysler will employ a similar approach in the Dodge Ram Hybrid, which uses a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 gas engine and two 60kW electric motors. The Dodge Ram Hybrid is due out in 2010.

Unfortunately, pickup sales have suffered this year from declines in construction and housing. Sales of the Toyota Tacoma are down 37.3 percent so far this year, and the full-size Tundra fell by 55 percent.

Sales of the Chevy Silverado Hybrid pickup—first reported at the beginning of 2009—have been meager. GM sold 7 units in January, 47 in February, and 68 in March.

Perhaps the poor sales in the pickup segment in general, and of the Silverado Hybrid in particular, dissuaded Toyota from moving forward with the A-BAT. “We have a lot of top priorities, and A-BAT is not one of them right now,” said Carter, in an interview with PickupTrucks.com.

Toyota is planning to introduce 10 new hybrids globally by 2012, but based on the decision to hold back the A-BAT, a hybrid pickup will not be among the new gas-electric models.

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Times have changed and the full-size pickup—while still a high volume segment—has lost some of its luster. Tundra sales, along with the entire pickup segment, have slid this year. So talk of a Tundra hybrid—long gone down the memory hole—has been replaced by rumors that Toyota could put the A-BAT hybrid pickup into production.

In fact, Toyota confirmed last week that it asked suppliers to bid on parts needed to produce a vehicle based on the Toyota A-BAT concept hybrid truck. Though it’s far from a commitment to production, it shows Toyota is seriously looking into a new small-size super-efficient pickup. The game of one-upmanship has shifted from bigger to better (in terms of fuel economy).

When it was shown at this January’s Detroit Auto Show, the A-BAT was powered by a four-cylinder engine and Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive—meaning it could easily contain components shared with Toyota’s other hybrid models. Featuring a short four-foot bed with some flexible configurations and 180 inches in overall length, the A-BAT concept is significantly shorter than Toyota’s current compact truck, the Tacoma. The car-based vehicle is similar in concept to Honda’s Ridgeline pickup, though even smaller.

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A few years ago, General Motors took a tentative step into the hybrid pickup market, launching the segment with a mild hybrid version of its full-sized pickup twins: the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. But GM’s first hybrid truck was a dog with only two tricks—it shut off its husky V8 engine at idle (resulting in a paltry fuel economy gain of 1 mpg), and offered two standard electrical outlets for tools, toys, or anything else a driver wanted to plug-in while on the go. Sold mainly to fleets, GM’s hybrid pickups were low-volume models, and were quietly discontinued in 2007.

But at last year’s Los Angeles Auto Show, GM introduced “Version 2.0” of its hybrid pickup. Due to hit showrooms this fall as 2009 models, the Chevrolet Silverado (and GMC Sierra) hybrids will offer GM’s two-mode hybrid system, a full hybrid drivetrain that allows all-electric operation up to 30 MPH. The two-mode system increases fuel economy by 25 percent to 18 in the city and 20 highway—far from Prius territory, but respectable for a three-ton truck with a 6.0L V8 powerplant under the hood. In an effort to keep up with its cross-town rival, Dodge announced in mid-April that it too would offer a hybrid pickup. Promised for 2010, the Dodge Ram Hybrid will use the same two-mode powertrain as the GM trucks, and is expected to get roughly the same fuel economy.

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The first is labeled the Urban Cruiser, a compact crossover utility currently slated for sale in Europe. Toyota calls it an “environmentally responsible SUV” due to its small size and low emissions. This little four-door was originally introduced as a concept vehicle in 2006, and has now taken a more conventional design than the first iteration. If introduced in the U.S., it would fit neatly into the Toyota line-up, just below the RAV4 in both size and price. The Urban Cruiser’s Toyota bloodline runs thick, as its mechanicals and platform are borrowed from the Yaris sedan, while its body design and overall aesthetics mimic the Scion xD. Both of those vehicles have done well in this U.S. market.

The second vehicle is a small pickup hybrid concept known as the Toyota A-BAT, which was first seen this past January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The A-BAT is a light duty truck featuring a four-foot bed, and in many ways resembles the Honda Ridgeline pickup. It is powered by a four-cylinder gas engine combined with Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system. The hybrid market is sorely lacking a viable high-mpg pickup truck.

It is unclear at this point which of these vehicles will be approved for U.S. sale, but either could help Toyota to move in the direction of meeting new CAFE standards. “As we look to 2020, when we have to get 35 miles per gallon, that’s a big challenge,” said Jim Lentz, president of Toyota Motor Sales, USA. Smaller and more efficient is undoubtedly part of the answer.

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The vehicle might appeal to all those other pickup drivers who seldom load lumber, but want versatility, roominess, and sleek styling. It’s something like a futuristic Honda Ridgeline with a hybrid drive. Powered by a 4-cylinder gas engine combined with Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive, the A-BAT was unveiled at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Versatility is the key word for the A-BAT’s design, which is capable of both off-road terrain and city traffic. The A-BAT concept utilizes a unibody platform to grant car-like handling and overall smooth ride quality. Aesthetically, the A-BAT takes on a tight, aerodynamic look, and a trapezoidal profile. Its cab-forward design, fast angles, short overhangs, and flattened windshield all lend to a new age appearance. That’s counter-balanced with large off-road ready 19-inch wheel, which have been pushed to the vehicle’s corners to create bulk. If all that isn’t tricky enough, the A-BAT touts translucent solar panels in the top surface of the dashboard to capture sunlight and convert it into energy. In case you wondering what A-BAT stands for, it’s “Advanced Breakthrough Aero Truck.” Go figure.

The bed of the A-BAT is actually larger than it looks for hauling materials or gear. It is also equipped with special lighting to illuminate the load, sliding tie downs, and an AC power outlet. Inside, the four-passenger A-BAT offers various seating and storage configurations. The interior features a highly-styled dash and steering wheel. The A-BAT also has a retractable portable navigation unit with a seven-inch diagonal screen and Wi-Fi internet.

This concept, whether it ever comes to fruition, makes one think about the potential shape of a vehicle that embodies both the persona of a pickup truck, and the spirit of a hybrid.

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