iQ EV to start testing programme in Europe in 2011

In 2011, Toyota will be starting a trial programme in Europe for its electric-powered version of the iQ city car. The study was announced in a progress report on its product and technology strategies to use electricity and alternative power sources to develop low carbon vehicles.

The electric version of the iQ ies scheduled to arrive in the USA in 2012, but other markets are still being considered, including Europe, Japan and China.

Following the unveiling of the RAV4 EV at the Los Angeles Auto Show, a vehicle that will be produced in partnership with electric vehicle specialists Tesla Motors and will be sold in the US from 2012, Toyota continues to further develop its EV programme.

By the end of 2012 Toyota will be launching 11 hybrid vehicles, including both all-new and re-designed models. A Prius Plug-in Hybrid has also been confirmed and is currently undergoing a demonstration programme in London and other worldwide locations. This model is scheduled to go on sale in Europe, Japan and the USA from early 2012. The predictions from Toyota point to a volume production of around 50,000 cars a year.

The strategy of Toyota also includes the development of fuel cell hybrid technology and the introduction of a saloon fuel cell hybrid vehicle (FCHV) in around 2015. Europe, Japan and North America, should be the main markets for this vehicle, but only in markets where a fuel supply infrastructure has been established.

Toyota is investing in research and development of next-generation batteries in order to deliver improved driving range, acceleration, power economy and ease of recharging. Toyota is continuing the development of the batteries featured in Prius Plug-in, to bring about the big advances in performance that will be needed for electric-powered eco-cars to succeed in the mass market. For that task, Toyota gathered in January a team of around 100 researchers and set up a new division to study next-generation battery production.

Toyota believes eco-cars can only have a positive impact on the environment if they are widely used. While exploring alternative power systems, Toyota continues to improve the efficiency of its internal combustion engines, which account for the majority of sales, while raising performance, reducing costs and expanding the range available.