Will Toyota build other plug-ins beyond the Prime?

IMO Toyota should take advantage of government grants across the world and present low cost low range PHEV of ALL their current hybrid line up.

Cost of such a plug-in hybrid would be minimally more (maybe $2k at producing 1 mil/year) but price for many customers would be less or around the same as curent hybrids, all you have to do is:
- add 4 kWh li-ion battery instead of 1 kWh
- add on board charger

I know everyone here will be whining range is too small, but range will not sell a PHEV, price will, Prius Prime is proof of that and I hope Toyota is thinking the same.

Future Toyota Hybrid slogan: You can charge it ... but you don't need to.

 

Hey no Sienna minivan on your list.
We need Toyota to design a new model. like a Prius but a little bigger, to allow PHEV + good cargo space. Just like Prius was designed around hybrid concept, we need a vehicle designed around plug-in concept instead of a shoe horn into another model. Although Prius v might work as a platform.

 

Going by their rate of introducing hybrids, I won't expect a plug in option on current models until a redesign. The new Camry hybrid is the next to come out. So I see that as the most likely to get a PHEV option. It will also give Toyota a competitor to the Sonata and Fusion PHEVs. The CH-R is also possible to be next, but North America doesn't even get the hybrid yet, and we are the next biggest one after Japan for hybrids and plug ins.

I also have my doubts on Toyota's commitment to plug ins at this point. The Prime is doing well, but they still are trying to push FCEVs. Mostly in Japan, but the Prius plug ins were both designed with Japan in mind. The rest of the world is mostly seen as a way of supporting their domestic operations.

The small battery plug in has its potential in lower price. It could work in the future when the incentives favoring larger batteries are gone. After their experience with the PiP, I don't see Toyota trying it though.

 

The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid needs some competition!!

#1 in Easley,SC

 

i think they have said as much, with no time frame. it would probably be best if they wait until batteries can b located without interfering with trunk space.
i would not say that prime is selling well in the u.s.

 

says more about the c, but are we talking u.s. or worldwide?

 

It sold around 2500 in Feb in Japan. The US has been consistently above 1000 and near the Volt's numbers every month. It's doing well for plug in.

The Prius c and v are just doing poorly here, with rumors that we may not even get the next v.

 

There was a news a year ago that Toyota will launch Corolla and Levin PHV in China, I was searching if there was anything new about it, but found only this:

Plug-in hybrid variants of the Corolla and Levin are scheduled for release in 2018.​

So there you have it, next Plug-in from Toyota will be Corolla and Levin, but only for the Chinese market.

My bet is that every market will have it's locally produced PHV model (Trump import tax, EU import tax) of current best selling hybrid. For US Camry and RAV4 are the two most obvious and for EU Yaris, Auris and/or C-HR.

 

Nice article on the plug-in hybrid situation:
Op-Ed: The Reality of the Plug-in Hybrid

And this is statement that I 100% agree and Toyota should do something about ASAP:

It seems to me that once you’ve gone to the trouble to design a hybrid, you might as well give it a plug, even if the EV range isn’t that impressive. Any EV range, even 15 miles, is better than no EV range.​

 

first mistake in that article is that plug ins are 1%, which means that the other 99% are traditional cars. this isn't the case at all. hybrids should be differentiated from gassers.

agree on the need for more charging stations. and in better locations.
the problem with giving every hybrid a plug is cost and battery infringement on space.

 

'fueling up at home with electricity will be the cheapest fuel'. not where i live, but i realize i'm in the minority.

 

Long term this will likely change for you.

 

And there may be time-of-use plans that encourage night charging anyway.

Toyota really needs to work on their battery packaging in any future PHEVs - the Prime's packaging is an absolute joke, especially considering what Volkswagen (Volkswagen!) and Hyundai have done.

 

The cost of electricity varies widely across the US. This s/s breaks out the cost per kWh across the US (dated 2015).

 

Agree, As far as I'm aware Prime has unused space for solar installation under rear seats and also rear suspension doesn't help.