There's an interesting article at MSNBC about next generation hybird automobiles becoming available in the next several years. Toyota led the charge with the very popular Prius and is struggling trying to keep up with demand (battery supply being the bottleneck) but other manufacturers are now making investments and playing catch-up.
The next major development in the hybrid space is expected in 2010, when GM’s Chevy Volt, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, is expected to go into production, says Aaron Bragman, an automotive analyst at consultancy Global Insight. The Volt, which can be recharged from a home electrical outlet, is expected to go on sale in early 2011 and may be worth waiting for, said Bragman. The Volt, he noted, is designed to remain primarily in electric mode in first 40 miles of driving.
“Considering that most Americans have a 20 mile commute it’s feasible that you’d never use your gas engine,” Bragman said.
Toyota plans to introduce a plug-in hybrid in Japan, the United States and Europe by 2010, although it will target leasing customers first. The new vehicle will use next-generation lithium-ion batteries that are seen as key to jump-starting the hybrid market.
GM’s hybrid plans are more extensive. The Chevy Malibu, the Saturn Aura and Vue Green Line use the automaker’s “mild” hybrid technology, the BAS, or belt alternator starter system, which is less complex than most other hybrids on the market. Unlike more intricate hybrids like the Toyota Prius these cars’ electric motors cannot drive the wheels on their own, but they but still save significantly on gas.
“These systems are considerably less expensive than the Japanese hybrid systems,” Bragman said. “GM is thinking of adding the system to just about any car globally.”
Some hope on the near term horizon.
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