One Million Hybrids!!! - GreenHybrid

bwilson4web · #1 (**permalink**) 06-09-2007, 06:34 AM

http://www.themanufacturer.com/us/co...on_in_US,_2007

Quote:

June 7, 2007 - Torrance CA. - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., announced the one-millionth hybrid sale today by parent company, Toyota Motor Corporation. Of the one million hybrid sales worldwide, more than half have been sold in the United States -- 541,210 units from 2000 through April 2007.

"The cost benefit of hybrids is becoming more apparent with climbing gas prices," said Jim Lentz, TMS executive vice president. "We anticipate combined sales of Toyota and Lexus hybrids of a quarter million units in the U.S. during calendar year 2007." . . .

Thanks to Ken who brought this out during our recent skeptic visit.

Bob Wilson

AshenGrey · #2 (**permalink**) 06-09-2007, 07:23 AM

I.ve always thought that hybrids made economic sense, even when gas prices are moderate. If you're the kind of person who keeps a car 7-8 years, a hybrid will always be worth it.

Tochatihu · #3 (**permalink**) 06-09-2007, 10:02 AM

I also celebrate # 1 million (who is that, anyway?). But strongly doubt that there will ever be 2 million of these. Nickel for the NiMH batteries has simply become too expensive. Act 1 of the hybrid vehicle story is drawing to a close. The curtain will raise on act 2 when lithium batteries can be made big, cheap, and good.

Act 3 will probably be something else entirely.

DAS

AshenGrey · #4 (**permalink**) 06-09-2007, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tochatihu

I also celebrate # 1 million (who is that, anyway?). But strongly doubt that there will ever be 2 million of these. Nickel for the NiMH batteries has simply become too expensive. Act 1 of the hybrid vehicle story is drawing to a close. The curtain will raise on act 2 when lithium batteries can be made big, cheap, and good.

Act 3 will probably be something else entirely.

DAS

I disagree. Nickel can be recycled. The auto industry probably wanted lithium batteries from the start, but the technology was not ready for prime time until a few months ago. Hybrid technology will always make sense because it converts otherwise-wasted kinetic energy from braking into usable propulsion. HSD could be adapted to diesel, fuel cell, warp drive, whatever. Ditto for E-Flex (when it's available).

bwilson4web · #5 (**permalink**) 06-09-2007, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AshenGrey

. . . Hybrid technology will always make sense because it converts otherwise-wasted kinetic energy from braking into usable propulsion. HSD could be adapted to diesel, fuel cell, warp drive, whatever. Ditto for E-Flex (when it's available).

The other savings comes from avoiding an over-sized ICE by handling the peak power demands. This far exceeds the regenerative braking savings. This allows the hybrid ICE to run at optimum efficiency levels instead of inefficient low or high power modes.

Bob Wilson