From Edmund’s Inside Line:
If that sounds like Toyota will integrate a diesel engine into its Synergy hybrid drivetrain, you are right, according to Jim Press, president of Toyota Motor North America. “… eventually we will have hybrids on diesel, biodiesel, ethanol, the whole gamut.” he said.
The previously opposed hybrid-versus-diesel camps seem to realize that combining the technologies is the fastest route to fuel-efficient vehicles with existing technologies and fuels. Detroit’s Big Three demonstrated this with their concept cars developed under the Partnership for the Next Generation of Vehicles program under the Clinton administration. All three companies produced diesel-electric hybrids in pursuit of an 80 mpg family sedan. A Prius with a diesel engine would closely resemble those concept vehicles, both in appearance and fuel economy.
It’s good to see promotion and a race to produce something for a good cause. Over the past few years was the “SUV boom” where most car manufactures created an SUV if they didn’t lready have one, even SAAB and Porsche joined in the race. But now, even after Toyota swept us away with their 50-60 mpg Prius, they keep going and will surely remain the leading company in the race to a cleaner car.
I just did a search on ‘toyota biodiesel’ and I am VERY happy to have found this site!
The SUV Boom is a scary thing to watch, still I am anxiously awaiting the day they produce a diesel/ biodiesel/ hybrid Landcruiser or Highlander. Family size, tradework capable, road trip comfortable, and what I consider to be the perfect fuel combination possibly available RIGHT NOW. My wife and I are talking about buying a car soon and are nearly settled on a Highlander Gas/Hybrid but I am ready to stop using gasoline. When I saw the Readers Choice Award listing for Toyota’s Biodiesel Hybrid Prius Coming Soon- I realized that what I have been waiting for is possible. I don’t think we will be able to hold out long enough to see that be our next car but the possibility of it happening, thanks to a company like Toyota, is here!
Any idea what the timeline on this is?
If I remember correctly from an another article a Toyota spokesperson mentioned ‘not earlier than 2010′ for a Toyota/Isuzu diesel hybrid engine – which I would not call ‘soon’.
Far from being some pie-in-the-sky dream, electro-diesel systems practically run the planet (unless we’ve all forgotten about buses, locomotives, large ships and many types of construction equipment).
Diesel-electric cars are _long_ overdue, so all I can say is, it’s about bloody time.
Go Biodiesel!
yes yes yes, it is time! count me in. i imagin it will not be cheep, but in the long run it will be good for all, and the earth will thank us