Japan Certifies Toyota Plug-in Hybrid for Public-road Tests.

Tokyo, Japan, July 25, 2007 - (JCN Newswire) - TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announced today that it has developed a plug-in hybrid vehicle and become the first manufacturer to have such a vehicle certified for use on public roads in Japan.

The TOYOTA Plug-in HV-certified for public road-use by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport-uses, like earlier TMC-developed hybrid vehicles, both a gasoline-powered internal combustion engine and an electric motor. But increased battery capacity gives it a longer electric-motor-only cruising range and a battery-charging device allows users to replenish the batteries using household electricity. These features enable the vehicle to run more often in gasoline-free, electric-only mode, such as on short trips in city driving. The resulting fuel efficiency improvements mean lower CO2 emissions and less fossil fuel consumption and, therefore, less pollution. Also, charging the battery with less-expensive nighttime electricity lowers total running costs, providing an economic benefit to owners.

Although challenges still exist in the development of pure electric vehicles such as a limited cruising range and issues related to cost, TMC still views plug-in hybrid vehicles as a promising technology for allowing electricity to serve as a viable power source for automobiles and is committed to their continued development as a key environmental technology.

TMC plans to conduct public-road tests in Japan with eight units of the TOYOTA Plug-in HV to verify electric-motor-only cruising ranges and optimal battery capacity. While doing so, it plans to provide the government with data for formulating testing methods for emissions and fuel efficiency and to consider TMC's measures for promoting plug-in hybrids and the use of electricity. There are also plans to conduct public-road tests of the TOYOTA Plug-in HV in the United States and in Europe.

--- Main Specifications of Toyota Plug-in HV ------------
Vehicle
  Name: TOYOTA Plug-in HV
  Length/Width/Height: 4,445/1,725/1,490mm
  Weight: 1,360kg
  Seating capacity: 5 persons
Performance in electric vehicle mode
  Cruising range: 13km in the 10-15 Japanese test cycle
  Maximum vehicle speed: 100km/h
Engine
  Displacement: 1,496cc
  Maximum output: 56kW(76PS)/5,000rpm
  Maximum torque: 110N-m (11.2kg-m)/4,000rpm
Motor
  Type: AC synchronous motor
  Maximum output: 50kW(68PS)/1,200-1,540rpm
  Maximum torque: 400N-m(40.8kg-m)/0-1,200rpm
Secondary battery
  Type: Nickel-metal hydride
  Capacity: 13Ah (6.5Ah x 2)
  Rated voltage: 202V
Overall system
  Maximum output*: 100kW (136PS)
  Voltage: 202-500V
Battery charging
  Power source: Household electrical power
  Charging time: 1-1.5hrs (200V), 3-4hrs (100V)

Based on TMC calculations; output that the system can achieve using engine power and electric motor power (electric motor power is dependent on battery power)

About Toyota Motor Corporation

Toyota Motor Corporation (TSE: 7203; NYSE: TM), established in 1937, is one of the world's representative automobile manufacturers, producing vehicles in 26 countries and regions and marketing vehicles in more than 170 countries and regions. In fiscal 2006, Toyota provided nearly eight million vehicles on a consolidated basis to customers around the world under the Toyota, Lexus, Daihatsu and Hino brands. Toyota had more than 280,000 employees at the end of fiscal 2006. The company is headquartered in Aichi, Japan. For more information, please visit www.toyota.co.jp/en/index.html .

Source: Toyota Motor Corporation

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URL: http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/

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