Japan to start leasing new fuel cell hybrid
Tokyo (AFP) Aug 29, 2008 Toyota Motor Corp. said Friday that it will start leasing its new fuel cell hybrid next month as part of its efforts to encourage the widespread use of the zero-emission vehicles. Japan's top automaker, which has already won strong interest in its fuel sipping petrol-electric hybrids, will lease one of its Toyota FCHV-adv vehicles to Japan's environment ministry. Toyota also plans to lease the five-seat sporty vehicle to local governments and companies in, or linked to, the energy industry. The vehicle runs on hydrogen and uses hybrid technology to reduce fuel consumption. It has a longer cruising distance and performs better in low temperatures compared with its predecessor. Japanese automakers are in a race to produce fuel-efficient, environmentally friendly vehicles amid soaring prices at the pump, spreading their bets on an array of technology including hybrid, electric and fuel cell automobiles. Honda Motor Co. began producing a next-generation fuel cell vehicle in June and plans to deliver about 200 on lease in the US and Japan in the first three years of production. Fuel cell vehicles belch out none of the greenhouse gases blamed for global warming, but their high cost and a lack of hydrogen refueling stations pose obstacles to mainstream use. Related Links Car Technology at SpaceMart.com
World's First Full-Sized, Long-Range, All-Electric Luxury Sedan At 2008 DNC Denver CO (SPX) Aug 29, 2008 The founders of Luxury Electric have announced plans to take their prototype car, "The Electric," on a record-setting transcontinental trip, the first for an electric luxury sedan, at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. |
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