Toyota FT-EV

Toyota /

Toyota FT EV
As CARB's mandate for carmakers to start selling plug-in hybrids and zero-emissions cars gets ever bigger in the window (2012), the number of battery-electric vehicle (BEV) prototypes is growing fast. Nissan, Mitsubishi, Chrysler and Mercedes-Benz, among others, have announced plans to sell BEVs. The latest entry is from Toyota, which today unveiled an all-electric version of its iQ urban runabout called the FT-EV. The four-seat, lightweight commuter car -- with what might be the world's only rear-window-mounted airbags to protect rear passengers -- is expected to offer 50 miles of range.

As tempting as the BEV Toyota might be to the entire city of Toyota makes clear that its Synergy hybrid gas-electric powertrain tech is its bread and butter, or seaweed and mochi. Thus sayeth the press release: "Although BEVs and new smaller vehicles like the iQ will be a key component of Toyota’s sustainable mobility strategy, the conventional gas-electric hybrid, like the all new third-generation Prius, is considered Toyota’s long-term core powertrain technology."

-- Dan Neil

Related article: Toyota's all-electric city car