Toyota aims to get plugged-in

Toyota is undoubtedly one of the pioneers of hybrid vehicles, but a report by respected US journal Automotive News suggests the car-making giant is now planning to diversify into 'plug-in' hybrids and ethanol-capable vehicles.

The Japanese marque had earlier pooh-poohed both these technologies, but Toyota US boss Jim Press was quoted by AN as saying that they did indeed offer some potential.

'Plug-ins', in case you're wondering, are hybrid vehicles that have a larger battery pack than existing models such as the Prius. This enables them to travel further on all-electric power, but the catch is that the battery needs to be regularly recharged via a conventional home power outlet.

Some industry experts say plug-in hybrids could offer twice the fuel economy of existing petrol-electric cars such as the Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid.

Despite this, Toyota hasn't in the past been an advocate of going down the plug-in route. However, pressure from environmental and national security groups and some US government officials is believed to have prompted the rethink on Toyota's part.

In a similar vein, the company is now also examining the potential to market ethanol-compatible vehicles, according to AN. This genre is now gathering momentum in the US, and Chrysler is among the manufacturers that have made a sizeable commitment to producing E85 flex-fuel vehicles.

Ford North America also recently unveiled an Escape Hybrid -- billed as "the most fuel efficient SUV on the road today" -- that runs on E85 fuel <a href="http://carpoint.ninemsn.com.au/car-review/1582670.aspx" target="_blank"><font color="#0000ff">(see CarPoint story here</font></a>

E85 is a blend comprising 85 per cent ethanol (which is derived from farm crops) and 15 per cent petrol. The advantages are obvious: ethanol is renewable and cleaner burning than petrol.

Be that as it may, don't expect to see ethanol compatible vehicles offered in our market anytime soon as there's presently no refueling infrastructure for the substance.

However, plug-in hybrids are a distinct possibility. Toyota Australia has already found a solid niche audience with its Prius (807 sales in the first half of this year), and any variation that improves on its already parsimonious fuel usage is likely to fare better -- especially as petrol prices continue to soar towards the two-dollars-a-litre mark.