Mercedes-Benz B-class F-Cell sedan to be leased to 70 customers in California.

Chevy Volt ATR Tracking Solar Charging Station

2011 Chevrolet Volt can be charged from common 120V outlet, but it could take up to 8 hours.

Fisker Karma and Opel Ampera being charged in Utrecht, the Netherlands.

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07-Dec-2011

PHOTO CAPTION: Toyota Prius PHV plug-in hybrid goes on sale in Japan January 2012.

Toyota Won't Yield Hybrid Leadership Easily

Despite GM efforts to establish its plug-in hybrid leadership, Toyota aims to offer plug-in hybrid Prius that is 20% cheaper.

Toyota Motor Corp.’s new plug-in Prius threatens to cast a shadow over competitors’ hybrids.

A successful debut of the Prius PHV, which Toyota will begin selling in 2012, may help Toyota secure its place as the industry leader in gas-and-electric vehicles and undermine General Motors Co.’s prospects with its Chevrolet Volt. Though the Volt, introduced a year ago, was the first plug-in hybrid on the market, its sales are trailing the company’s target. The model has also been beset by a government investigation into battery fires after collision tests.

“Toyota carries the image of being a leader in hybrids and the recent problems with the Volt’s batteries give consumers an extra reason to choose the plug-in Prius over the Volt,” said Mitsushige Akino, who oversees about $600 million in Tokyo at Ichiyoshi Investment Management Co. “Toyota’s new plug-in Prius will definitely have a negative impact on GM’s sales of the Volt.”

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