Toyota created quite a buzz on Wednesday when it announced that it will debut three new hybrids at January’s Detroit Auto Show — including a plug-in lithium-ion powered hybrid for 2010 — but Toyota’s top technology expert warns that the general public shouldn’t set expectations too high for the new technology.
While plug-in technology does promise to return increased fuel mileage, Toyota’s Bill Reinert warns that people should temper their expectations. The ability to plug in will net a greater all-electric range, but due to adverse, real world driving conditions — such as cold weather and sudden acceleration — will cause mileage to fluctuate.
“When we see the (claims of) 100 mile-per-gallon stuff, not everybody’s going to get 100 miles per gallon,” Reinert told Automotive News.
Plug-in hybrids should have the capability to travel 40 miles on battery power alone, which would average out to about 100 mpg. In addition to Toyota ’s plug-in hybrid, General Motors plans to have two models on the market by 2010 — the Chevrolet Volt and Saturn Vue Plug-In Hybrid.
