Toyota (NYSE: TM) may be having some “troubles†with supposed runaway Priuses and all, but they are still moving forward with the plug-in version of the iconic hybrid according to an announcement from Toyota. Last week, HybridCars.com reported, "Toyota announced that it will work with 13 partners to test the Prius Plug-in Hybrid in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Québec. The Canada project represents a test of five plug-in Priuses, out of 600 models being tested in global markets." The plug-in Prius will join the all electric Mitsubishi i-MiEV already being tested on Canadian streets and the soon to come Nissan Leaf which Vancouverites will be able to purchase in 2011. Toyota to Test Plug-in Prius in Canada | Leslie Berliant Interesting to note
Here in Quebec we have "Tax Credit for the Acquisition or Lease of a New Fuel-Efficient Vehicle" valid from December 31, 2008 to January 1, 2016. But according to the document, plug-ins would probably considered as hybrid because of gasoline consumption. Oh well, 3000$ credit is better than nothing but 8000$ would be nice Edit: Source - Revenu Quebec
Since Toyota seems to be coming out of it's shell, is there any more definitive (and recent) news as to when the plug-in Prius will be available for purchase in the USA (and Canada eh)?
I saw this on Toyota Canada's site yesterday. I figured everybody here knew; it never occurred to me that I'd be the first to know.
Yep. Tax credit amount is based on the Kwh rating. But here's my crazy thought: How is it Toyota needs so much more 'testing'. For cryin' out loud ... hundreds of thousands of hours of testing & actual time on over 1,000 RAV4-EV's that have been running around the landscape for over a DECADE now. Sheesh! If that fleet gets over 100 miles of range, why is it there needs to be so much more testing on a ride that only gets a dozen miles of range ... what am I missing? Gimie that car ... I'll test the snot out of it. .
Probably the gas part of it. How much would the gas engine actually be used. Is 12 miles enough? etc etc. Just taking a stab...