Toyota Continues to Push Hybrids, While Nissan Backs EVs; Who Will Win?

Toyota, the world’s leading manufacturer of hybrids by volume, stood whole heartedly behind its hybrid technology advancements. Outgoing president Katsuaki Watanabe mentioned that EVs still need significant work in order to succeed in the foreseeable future market. Their expensive battery prices and limited range are hindrances to their buyer attractiveness, officials say.

That said, the brand is still aiming to introduce its first mass-produced EV by 2010, but even so, it’ll be of limited use and availability.

Nissan, on the other hand, is pushing its upcoming EV technologies as the proper future vehicle path. Together with partner Renault, the pair has arguably the largest mass-volume EV strategy in place around the world.

Three all-new EV models from each are due by 2010, with Nissan’s slated to debut first on August 2 at the automaker’s new headquarters opening ceremony in Tokyo.

“We do not put electric cars and hybrids in the same category,” Renault-Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn told shareholders. “Hybrids are fuel-efficient technology. EVs are no fuel. Hybrids are an optimisation of combustion engines. EVs have none. Hybrids reduce emissions by 20 to 30 percent. EVs have none.”

We drove a prototype of Nissan’s EV powertrain earlier this year and

we’re impressed with its smooth power delivery and claimed 100 mile single charge range. A limited number of governmental and corporate sales will occur next year, with individual retail sales coming soon after if a market’s infrastructure can handle the cars.

In addition to other global factories, Nissan has plans to build 100,000 EVs annually at its Smyrna, Tennessee location in two to three years. Whether or not the all-new, five-passenger EV will be built there has yet to be disclosed.

source: motortrend