Toyota plans to produce electric power only Prius

Japanese carmaker Toyota plans to produce a version of its hot-selling Prius hybrid that could be recharged at a standard outlet and run on electric power only in order to meet the U.S. consumer demand, media reported Monday.

Bob Carter, who heads the Toyota brand in the United States, said it is more important for Toyota to understand consumer expectations and hone the battery-centered technology behind plug-in cars than to race to bring them to showrooms.

"Before we bring it to market, our customers always expect a level of quality and reliability, value and cost," Carter said. "It's critical that we understand the expectations of the consumers."

He said Toyota has no intention of leasing more expensive batteries for next-generation hybrids separate from the vehicle, a step some proponents have suggested as a way to bring down the initial cost of such vehicles.

Toyota said it would deliver one modified Prius each to the University of California, Berkeley and the University of California, Irvine, for a three-year study meant to speed up development of plug-in versions of the hybrid.

Researchers working with Toyota at Berkeley will concentrate on consumer behavior, sounding out their view of plug-in hybrids before and after driving them.

Toyota is working now to develop the third-generation of the Prius hybrid, expected to go on sale in the United States in the 2010 or 2011 model years.

Toyota, which dominates the current market for hybrids, has not discussed its timetable for plug-in vehicles. Toyota is expected to account for about 80 percent of all hybrids sold in the United States this year, led by the Prius.

Source:Xinhua/Agencies

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