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Toyota cutting hybrid costs, claims every car produced will be hybrid by 2020

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imported_Shivetya

Platinum Member
That?s why Toyota is hard at work developing cheaper hybrid systems. Reuters reports that Toyota is hoping to make as much money from hybrids as it does from conventional cars by the end of the decade. The news comes from Toyota?s vice president in charge of powertrain development, Masatami Takimoto, who said cost cutting on the electric motor, battery and inverter were all showing positive results and by the time Toyota?s sales goal of one million hybrids annually is reached, it ?expect margins to be equal to gasoline cars?. Takimoto also made the bold claim that by 2020, hybrids will be the standard drivetrain and account for ?100 percent? of Toyota?s cars as they would be no more expensive to produce than a conventional vehicle.

While the idea of hybrids are nice I still see them as a stop gap measure. There are no comments about zero emission vehicles, which may only be because they didn't ask.

Also, should the tax credits that helped make the sales of hybrids be reinstated? Frankly I don't think so, why? Because they are not that much better than normal gasoline cars. Their mileage can be replicated by pure gasoline cars like the Honda Civic.

Overall I think the best route to independance from middle east oil, and anyone else for that matter, is a combination of using our own resources, raising the mpg standard, and better traffic management (many cities still don't sync their lights!)
 
hyprid cars will improve alot faster in the next 10-20 years than normal combustion cars

and while there is no realistic alternative as the next step it is the right move
 
I don't believe hybrids are the panacea that Toyota wants us to think they are. They have all those batteries and other parts, which in the eyes of some, make them more environmentally unfriendly than traditional SUVs.
 
There is relatively little spent on basic science, and a bit more than little on energy R&D. Toyota has no idea what the next breakthrough may be, because we aren't working hard to find one. Consequently stop gap measures will be the best for the near future. Too bad this single funding bill for Iraq isn't going for energy instead of war.
 
NOT good enough!

Personally I do not want any hybrids being made by 2020 period!

By 2020 only fully alterative fueled cars should only be manufactured, Toyota and everyone else can stick their fossil fuel using crap up their butt!
 
From Socio-

By 2020 only fully alterative fueled cars should only be manufactured, Toyota and everyone else can stick their fossil fuel using crap up their butt!
Click to expand...

Alternative fuels and hybrid technology aren't incompatible...

The efficiency advantage and flexibility of hybrids make them an attractive choice in the midterm, anyway...
 
I dont see a problem, if they can cut the costs and make them competitive with pure gasoline cars while improving our mileage?

/shrug

Is there something else wrong with this picture I dont know about? Maybe the batteries in the things are more harmful? I really havent kept up on the Hybrid craze.

 
Originally posted by: Shivetya

Also, should the tax credits that helped make the sales of hybrids be reinstated? Frankly I don't think so, why? Because they are not that much better than normal gasoline cars. Their mileage can be replicated by pure gasoline cars like the Honda Civic.
Click to expand...

But you're overlooking the obvious fact that not everybody wants to drive a Honda Civic. One size does not fit all. If Toyota really can make a broad range of different styles of Hybrids that people can choose from to suit their individual wants/needs, that will be good. And while hybrid's currently may not be all that much better that traditional gasoline powered cars on an individual basis, you need to look at the collective impact of replacing hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of traditional gasoline combustion engine driven vehicles with hybrid vehicles. Now you are starting to make a dent on overall gas usage and CO2 emissions. If everybody does just a little bit, the collective effect is enormous. If one person can cut their carbon emission footprint by just 10%, then just 10 people doing likewise have effectively reduced the overall carbon footprint by 1 person. Don't overlook the power of the collective effort.
 
Originally posted by: Socio
NOT good enough!

Personally I do not want any hybrids being made by 2020 period!

By 2020 only fully alterative fueled cars should only be manufactured, Toyota and everyone else can stick their fossil fuel using crap up their butt!
Click to expand...

That is a little bit unrealistic.
 
Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I don't believe hybrids are the panacea that Toyota wants us to think they are. They have all those batteries and other parts, which in the eyes of some, make them more environmentally unfriendly than traditional SUVs.
Click to expand...

News flash. . .every car has a battery. Yeah, true, hybrids may not be the magic silver bullet. But at least someone is trying. And they are a step in the right direction. Give it time.
 
Originally posted by: Shivetya
That?s why Toyota is hard at work developing cheaper hybrid systems. Reuters reports that Toyota is hoping to make as much money from hybrids as it does from conventional cars by the end of the decade. The news comes from Toyota?s vice president in charge of powertrain development, Masatami Takimoto, who said cost cutting on the electric motor, battery and inverter were all showing positive results and by the time Toyota?s sales goal of one million hybrids annually is reached, it ?expect margins to be equal to gasoline cars?. Takimoto also made the bold claim that by 2020, hybrids will be the standard drivetrain and account for ?100 percent? of Toyota?s cars as they would be no more expensive to produce than a conventional vehicle.

While the idea of hybrids are nice I still see them as a stop gap measure. There are no comments about zero emission vehicles, which may only be because they didn't ask.

Also, should the tax credits that helped make the sales of hybrids be reinstated? Frankly I don't think so, why? Because they are not that much better than normal gasoline cars. Their mileage can be replicated by pure gasoline cars like the Honda Civic.

Overall I think the best route to independance from middle east oil, and anyone else for that matter, is a combination of using our own resources, raising the mpg standard, and better traffic management (many cities still don't sync their lights!)
Click to expand...

Why are you so pro Oil?

How much money do you stand to lose?

With Gas prices artificially inflated I don't see how you would lose anything since these cars still use Gas.
 
Originally posted by: ahurtt

But you're overlooking the obvious fact that not everybody wants to drive a Honda Civic.

One size does not fit all.
Click to expand...

You're forgetting the OP is one of those people that don't do as I do only what I say and driving is a priviledge not a right.

So while you toll around in your hybrid he is rich so he will still drive a giant gas guzzler.
 
Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
I don't believe hybrids are the panacea that Toyota wants us to think they are. They have all those batteries and other parts, which in the eyes of some, make them more environmentally unfriendly than traditional SUVs.
Click to expand...

What exactly does that mean? I don't see how this can be a subjective matter really...
 
Originally posted by: jman19
What exactly does that mean? I don't see how this can be a subjective matter really...
Click to expand...
It is very simple really.

Suppose Product A is built using conventional "clean" materials (wood, steel, etc.) But Product A emits hazardous chemicals everywhere. Net danger to the environment: massive if the product is used a lot.

Suppose Product B is built using naturally occuring "hazardous" materials. These materials are dug out of the ground, and when Product B has lived its life, the hazardous materials go back into the ground. Product B does not emit much of anything hazardous. Net danger to the environment: not much because all it did was move the hazardous material from one spot to another it didn't create any.

So you see, clearly Product B is equally dangerous to the environment because it used hazardous materials.

For example: see the Compact Florescent Lightbulb (CFL) mercury use argument. The bulbs move mercury from one spot on the planet to another. But conventional bulbs emit MORE mercury all over the planet as the electricity used to power them burns unclean fuel, emit MORE carbon dioxide, and use MORE of our precious limited fuel supply. Thus, CFL must be just as bad if not worse.

Sarcasm mode off.
 
Originally posted by: Shivetya
Improving average economy to 28mpg or higher is one number I have seen posted that claims would achieve us near independance from foreign oil.
Click to expand...

When our population (thanks immigration) goes from 300 million to 400 million in the next 20-30 years that's a significant increase in demand.
 
Originally posted by: Socio
NOT good enough!

Personally I do not want any hybrids being made by 2020 period!

By 2020 only fully alterative fueled cars should only be manufactured, Toyota and everyone else can stick their fossil fuel using crap up their butt!
Click to expand...

People are really missing the boat on what hybrid technology can give rise too. As hybrids become more popular a push for more efficient electric motors and battery technology will be made. As these technologies develop the end result will be 100% electric powered cars running on better batteries or storage capacitors.

I don't see the need for alternative fuels once batteries become the norm. Hydrogen and boifuels are just energy transporters. Batteries serve the same function. Also a benefit to having 100% electric power cars vs hydrogen is that you don't have to build new infrastructure to support it.

Toyota is on the right path if they continue to improve hybrid technology to the point where hybrid becomes electric only. They are set to leave everyone else in the dust when it comes to pass.
 
Originally posted by: dullard
Originally posted by: jman19
What exactly does that mean? I don't see how this can be a subjective matter really...
Click to expand...
It is very simple really.

Suppose Product A is built using conventional "clean" materials (wood, steel, etc.) But Product A emits hazardous chemicals everywhere. Net danger to the environment: massive if the product is used a lot.

Suppose Product B is built using naturally occuring "hazardous" materials. These materials are dug out of the ground, and when Product B has lived its life, the hazardous materials go back into the ground. Product B does not emit much of anything hazardous. Net danger to the environment: not much because all it did was move the hazardous material from one spot to another it didn't create any.

So you see, clearly Product B is equally dangerous to the environment because it used hazardous materials.

For example: see the Compact Florescent Lightbulb (CFL) mercury use argument. The bulbs move mercury from one spot on the planet to another. But conventional bulbs emit MORE mercury all over the planet as the electricity used to power them burns unclean fuel, emit MORE carbon dioxide, and use MORE of our precious limited fuel supply. Thus, CFL must be just as bad if not worse.

Sarcasm mode off.
Click to expand...

I was about to make an angry comment when you said "It is very simple really" - I'm glad I read through to the end 😛
 
For the time right now it is the only more efficient form of transportation. Of course if you have some GOP crunch the numbers in his favor you can make a bicycle look bad. However unless something with star trek comes out in the near future it's certianly better. With more proper battery disposal programs I don't see how it can be enviromentally ineffective.
 
I am anxious to see the revised fuel economy estimates for hybrid cars are after the EPA changes the requirements (next year, I think?)
 
Originally posted by: Rustican
Originally posted by: Socio
NOT good enough!

Personally I do not want any hybrids being made by 2020 period!

By 2020 only fully alterative fueled cars should only be manufactured, Toyota and everyone else can stick their fossil fuel using crap up their butt!
Click to expand...

People are really missing the boat on what hybrid technology can give rise too. As hybrids become more popular a push for more efficient electric motors and battery technology will be made. As these technologies develop the end result will be 100% electric powered cars running on better batteries or storage capacitors.

I don't see the need for alternative fuels once batteries become the norm. Hydrogen and boifuels are just energy transporters. Batteries serve the same function. Also a benefit to having 100% electric power cars vs hydrogen is that you don't have to build new infrastructure to support it.

Toyota is on the right path if they continue to improve hybrid technology to the point where hybrid becomes electric only. They are set to leave everyone else in the dust when it comes to pass.
Click to expand...
Electric cars are already in reach: http://www.zapworld.com/ZAPWorld.aspx?id=4560
 
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