Toyota’s new Highway to the Future: Mobile Hybrid Experience tour is currently traveling across the country.
The tour, started in January, this year and going through 2008, is a mobile museum that aims at providing a firsthand opportunity to learn more about automotive hybrid technology. Through interactive educational exhibits and test drives of Toyota vehicles, attendees can easily learn about the new technology to make more informed decisions on alternative fuels, hybrid cars and environmental conservation.
Lately, we conducted an email interview with Lyndsey Payzant, Public Relations Specialist. Hence on the basis of the interview we present before you his views on Hybrid Synergy Drive by Toyota.
1. What are the hybrid resources used by your vehicles?
Toyota: Toyota has three hybrid vehicles currently available: the Prius, Camry Hybrid and Highlander Hybrid. Each vehicle utilizes Toyota’s exclusive Hybrid Synergy Drive system, which combines a gasoline engine, an electric motor and generator, a battery, an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission, and power and control electronics. Four-wheel-drive vehicles, such as the Highlander Hybrid, offer an additional motor powering the rear wheels.
2. Do they need to be plugged in?
Toyota: No, you would never need to plug in a Toyota hybrid, because the vehicles automatically recharge their batteries using regenerative braking, or by running the on-board generator.
3. Is maintenance more expensive with a hybrid?
Toyota: Toyota hybrids need no more servicing than a conventional car. As with any vehicle, routine maintenance is required.
4. Does weather condition affects the hybrid vehicles?
Toyota: Extreme weather can affect any vehicle (think 30 below in Alaska), but normal weather patterns and changes do not affect the performance of a hybrid vehicle.
5. How often do hybrid batteries would require replacing? Is replacement expensive and disposal an environmental problem?
Toyota: Toyota has been selling hybrid batteries in the U.S. for the past six years and has not yet had to replace a battery. The batteries are engineered to have a 180,000-mile minimum life.
6. Are hybrids safe?
Toyota: A hybrid vehicle is just as safe as any other vehicle on the road today. In fact, the Prius, Toyota’s flagship hybrid model, is equipped with many advanced safety features including a standard Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. In addition, Vehicle Stability Control is also available. In an emergency its strong mono-form shape, front crumple zones, standard driver and front passenger dual-stage airbags, and available driver and front passenger front seat-mounted side airbags and front and rear side curtain airbags help shield its occupants from harm. The batteries are sealed and have built-in security measures to prevent any leakage or shock in the case of an accident.
Before concluding, we’d like to thank Lyndsey Payzant for sharing with us the useful information about ‘hybrid vehicles’ and I am sure our readers have enjoyed reading it too.
