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Toyota Joins GM in Race for 2010 Plug-In Hybrids

Drivers could recharge cars with normal socket

By Jane Yager, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 14, 2008 4:15 AM CST

(Newser) – Toyota, the world's leader in hybrid vehicle production, has geared up to deliver by 2010 a gas-electric hybrid car whose batteries will recharge from a normal electrical socket. With the announcement yesterday at the Detroit auto show, Toyota pits itself against General Motors, which has also pledged a plug-in hybrid by 2010, Bloomberg reports.

Toyota and GM face a serious obstacle: the lithium-ion batteries both companies plan to use in their plug-in vehicles do not yet exist in a form "suitable for the long-term rigors of everyday automotive use," said a Toyota executive. The batteries are expensive and hard to produce, and can burn if they overheat.

In this artist rendering released by Toyota Motor Corp. ahead of Tokyo Motor Show, which opens to public in Chiba, east of Tokyo, on Oct. 27, 2007, a plug-in hybrid sports-utility vehicle, "Hi-CT," is... (Associated Press)

Reporters get into Toyota Motor Corp.'s plug-in hybrid vehicles for a road test in Tokyo Wednesday, July 25, 2007. Toyota said Wednesday it has developed a plug-in hybrid vehicle for public road tests... (Associated Press)

A reporter drives Toyota Motor Corp.'s plug-in hybrid vehicle during a test run in Tokyo Wednesday, July 25, 2007. Toyota said Wednesday it has developed a plug-in hybrid vehicle for public road tests... (Associated Press)

A Toyota Motor Corp. employee displays plugs for the automaker's plug-in hybrid vehicle in Tokyo Wednesday, July 25, 2007. Toyota said Wednesday it has developed a plug-in hybrid vehicle for public road... (Associated Press)

Toyota Motor Corp.'s Chief Engineer Yoshikazu Tanaka explains the mechanism of the automaker's plug-in hybrid vehicle in Tokyo Wednesday, July 25, 2007. Toyota said Wednesday it has developed a plug-in... (Associated Press)

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Toyota Joins GM in Race for 2010 Plug-In Hybrids

Drivers could recharge cars with normal socket

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Two dozen cars destroyed, but batteries came through safely

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Chrysler, VW saw huge gains

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Electronics maker to do more than just provide batteries

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Toyota Joins GM in Race for 2010 Plug-In Hybrids

Drivers could recharge cars with normal socket

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Toyota • General Motors • Detroit • hybrid car • lithium ion batteries • Detroit Auto Show

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

GM Reclaims World's No.1 Spot

2011 disasters knock Toyota into 3rd place

Tsunami Survivors: Nissan Leaf Batteries

Two dozen cars destroyed, but batteries came through safely

Car Sales Jumped 14% Last Month

Chrysler, VW saw huge gains

US Probing Chevy Volt Battery Fires

In testing, more batteries cause concern

GM Teams With LG on Electric Cars

Electronics maker to do more than just provide batteries

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?