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Late in 2011, Toyota Motor Corp will launch a hybrid sub-compact and broaden its electric car line-up. The vehicle will be available for 1.5 million yen, or $15,760. Government tax breaks, subsidies on cleaner technology, and an increasing demand for gasoline-electric vehicles have promoted EVs in Japan greatly.  Toyota may have future plans to produce the new hybrid model in France as well, to cater to a European market.

According to a Japanese newspaper, Asahi Shimbun, the new hybrid compact by Toyota will use the platform and engine of the Yaris sub-compact, which is likely to be fully remodeled before launch in order to compete with the fuel efficiency and cost competitiveness of the Prius.

Dominant automakers Honda Motor Company and Toyota have reduced prices on their premier hybrid cars recently. The price of Toyota’s Prius has been lowered to 2.05 million yen and that of Honda’s Insight has been lowered to 1.89 million yen.

The month of April listed Honda’s Insight, the first hybrid car, on top of the best selling cars list. However, in May, Toyota’s new Prius replaced the Insight, and became the No.1 hybrid car in the Japanese market.

The Toyota sub-compact hybrid, which is yet to be launched, would be a tough contender to some of the upcoming small hybrid cars like Honda’s Fit Compact and the Honda CR-Z Hybrid.  It has been reported by The Daily that the automaker is likely to raise its daily production target in Japan. This will increase production to about 13,500 units in September and around 13,700 in October.

Why the sub?

Toyota and Honda have introduced sub-compact hybrid models to introduce a fresh alternative to existing hybrid cars (which were mostly SUVs) in the last couple of years. These SUV hybrids are more fuel-efficient (15 to 20 percent more than their counterparts). However, the mpg of these models ranges from the late teens to the early twenties.

The new subcompact hybrids are likely to be marked high in the fuel economy rankings, possibly at the 50 mpg mark or higher. Moreover, their prices are slated to be comparatively lower than the prices of current hybrid cars.

If the past is any predictor, car enthusiasts and organizations such as CalCars will begin upgrading these new hybrids into plug-in models as soon as they are released.  It remains to be seen, however, if and when they are brought to the American market, whether they will be adopted on a mass scale by an increasingly price-conscious and choosy consumer.

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The engine will release less than 50 grams/km.  of carbon dioxide emissions (using the NEDC standard).  According to Volvo, this would qualify it for a “super-credit tax incentive band” in several countries.   There is no word yet whether the U.S. will adopt any super incentives.    Another intriguing feature of this car will be the placement of two battery-charging ports on its exterior:  one at the rear for use with public charging stations, and one at the front for use in homes and garages.

The design and introduction of the new model is being accomplished as a joint project between Volvo and Swedish energy supplier Vattenfall.    Like the Toyota/EDF Energy relationship, Vattenfall will manage the operational aspects of the charging process, providing the infrastructure as well as supplying the needed electricity.   They are also offering customers the opportunity to sign an agreement for renewable electricity sourced specifically from windpower or hydropower, as an alternative to the regular mix of electricity sources.

A demonstration fleet based on the Volvo V70 model will be arriving in the U.S. to promote the technology.   Spokespeople from the company have declared that the base price would be slightly higher than conventional automobiles, but that the range would be “class-leading”.

Unsurprisingly, the battery pack will consist of lithium-ion cells.   The supplier of those cells, at the moment, is unknown.  There are also plans to produce a purely electric car in the future.

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Honda had originally sought out to be the leader in manufacturing cars based on hydrogen fuel-cell technology.   They began leasing the FCX Clarity to drivers in California in 2008, the same year they built a manufacturing plant in Japan to support the operation.  The vehicle has a driving range of 280 miles from its hydrogen fuel cells and can reach a top speed of 105 mph.  Mr. Fukui still believes that the technology will be very popular in the next decade, as oil prices are expected to top $100 a barrel once again.

In the meantime, Honda and a partner, GS Yuasa Corp., began building a lithium-ion battery plant to supply components for a hybrid automobile, due out at the end of 2010.   They may now expand on the production.  ”We started working with GS Yuasa with just the hybrid application in mind… We are thinking about extending that application to plug-in hybrids,” the president reported.

He did not let on when a pure plug-in can be expected.

With so many auto manufacturers announcing plug-in vehicles, added to government incentives and infrastructure upgrades, it seems only natural that a major company like Honda would turn its attention to this technology.  The costs of battery-cells will likely drop as their supply increases and optimal designs are determined.   More importantly, they would be negligent to miss out on surge of consumer interest that may occur once many of these models hit the road.  Honda may not have given up on its aspirations to be a global leader in hydrogen fuelled transportation, but their executives are more than willing to hedge their bets until that scenario becomes a reality.

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The new concept car by Bright Automotive is set to be unveiled in a few days in Washington D.C.   Eschewing the design practices of traditional auto makers, the hybrid vehicle will be built with lightweight, aerodynamic engineering as its core concept. This means stearing clear of large steel purchases and focusing on reducing the size and weight of its battery back.

The plug-in car is said to have a 30 mile all-electric range and will be coupled with a small gasoline engine. CEO John Waters expects to have an annual production rate of 50,000 vehicles per year by the end of 2013.

Before realizing this goal, however, the Indiana-based startup has to overcome a significant hurdle along the way: capital raising. Waters has said that his company requires $400 million in Department of Energy Loans before June 1st in order to meet its launch goal.   Any shortfalls would have to be covered by private investors.  The recent freeze up of credit markets makes this a challenging task, and there is a likelihood that the rollout will have to be delayed.   Another sign that a setback might be inevitable is that Bright Automotive is still conducting talks with major battery suppliers around the world.

Media outlets and consumers will be anticipating more information when the concept is rolled out on the 21st.

Update:  Bright’s new hybrid, called the Idea, was unveiled in Washington DC.  Executives from Bright Automotive made speeches in front of the Senate and House, hoping to garner support for a $450 million grant that would allow the company to begin mass production by 2012.

Mr. Waters called the plug-in vehicle the first “purpose-built, highly durable 100-mile-per gallon commercial utility vehicle.”  It has 180 cubic feet of space in its interior and is capable of carrying a payload up to 1 ton.  The Bright Idea can drive up to 30 miles using its electric engine solely.

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At the 2009 Seoul Motor Show (April 2-12), Hyundai released further details of its new hybrid concept.  With a release anticipated towards the end of 2012, this vehicle represents the latest company to catch up with the electric-vehicle movement.

The “BLUE-WILL” is expected to have an electric-only driving distance of 40 miles (64 km). It contains a 1.6L direct-injection gasoline engine providing 152 horsepower coupled with a 100 kw electric-motor.   Like the Fisker Karma, the automobile will carry a panoramic roof fitted with solar cells that help provide power to the cabin’s climate control systems.  Additionally, a thermal generator will recapture energy from the exhaust and use it to power auxiliary systems. The battery pack consists of lithium-ion cells.

Hyundai stated that the dashboard will feature the Eco-Coach, a display that provides continuous feedback on the driver’s fuel-consumption and provides a way to optimize driving habits.   Also included are high-resolution digital gauges in the form of LED displays mounted on the steering-column.

It seems the trend is heading toward plug-in vehicles that possess multiple forms of energy conversion.  With this latest design, and its distinct appearance, Hyundai hopes to provide a modern looking and modern performing option in the consistently growing hybrid market.

Update:  At the New York Auto show, Hyundai showed off a concept car called the Nuvis, which bears a striking resemblance to the BLUE-WILL.   The Nuvis now appears on Hyundai’s official website, and they offer the following specifications:  A 2.4L gasoline engine, 228 horsepower, 6-speed automatic transmission, and a fuel economy of 40 mpg.  A video of the Nuvis Concept is also available.

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In an excellent preview of what we can expect out of the next generation Toyota Prius, New York Times editor, Jerry Garret, takes the 2010 model out for a spin.

Before getting into his personal hands-on experience with the machine, he first mentions the “iconic” status of its predecessor:  asking the almost rhetorical question of, how can something that is a) comfortably bigger, b) faster, c) possessing an upgraded battery pack, and d) more energy efficient than a vehicle that already had so many admirers NOT be successful?

While Toyota puts the economy rating of its new Prius at 51 mpg in the city and 48 mpg on the highway, Jerry is able to squeeze out an amazing 69 mpg in stop-and-go traffic.  He explains how a method he another auto journalist used called “pulse-and-glide” is especially well suited to maximizing the efficiency of this new model.   The new Prius also features several dashboard displays continuously giving you feedback on your fuel-consumption behavior.

The vehicle also offers 3 driving modes that are selectable:  EV for electric only;  ECO for economy; and POWER for brute force. The 2010 model utilizes a 98-horsepower gasoline engine and a nickel-metal-hydride battery pack.

The article also goes on to mention all the differences between the 2009 and 2010 models, from its upgraded Hybrid Synergy Drive system, to its improved aerodynamics, despite being 122 pounds heavier, and much, much more.  This review can’t help but get you excited if you’re already anticipating Toyota’s Hybrid 2.0.

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