A history of hybrid cars

Hybrid cars are already more than 10 years of mass production. With technology constantly improving, they have certainly come a long way. While the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle, the Toyota Prius, is still the best selling hybrid, the number of models available to consumers has increased dramatically in recent years.

Looking back, it is hard to imagine that ten years ago, Americans on a waiting list for a hybrid of Toyota or Honda were, especially in view of a recent Accenture research that showed that 42% of consumers can buy a hybrid or electric car in the next two years.

In honor of Earth Day on April 22, I decided to put together a timeline of how far hybrid cars have come and what to expect in the very near future.

1997-Toyota lanceert's world's first mass-produced hybrid vehicle, the Toyota Prius, in Japan. 37,000 Prius were sold in Japan, before the popular Toyota was available in the US

1999-Honda releases the insight in the u.s., making it the first mass produced hybrid car sold in the us.

2000-Toyota launches the Prius in the u.s. Only 12,000 vehicles are available.

2002-Honda unveils the Honda Civic Hybrid

2003-the second generation Toyota Prius was named the 2004 car of the year by Motor Trend Magazine. More than 700,000 Prius were sold in the u.s.

2004-Ford introduces the Escape Hybrid, the first hybrid SUV and the first American-made hybrid. The Escape Hybrid was named the North American truck of the year in 2005.

2005-Three hybrid SUVs, including the Lexus RX 400 h, Toyota Highlander Hybrid and Mercury Mariner Hybrid to be introduced. The Highlander Hybrid is a hybrid "muscle" considered because of his increased HORSEPOWER; However, sacrificing fuel economy.

2007-Nissan enters hybrid market with the Altima Hybrid sold in 8 States-New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and California. Chevrolet also introduces the first full-size hybrid SUV that fuel consumption by about 25 percent more than the conventional model increases.

2009 – the newly redesigned Honda Insight hybrid is the only option under $ 20,000. Also introduces the 2010 Toyota Prius with the highest fuel consumption of a car on the American market at 50 mpg.

2010 and beyond – In Fall 2010, GM is expected to reveal the Chevrolet Volt that is supposed to travel up to 40 miles on electricity alone. GM estimates that the 2 cents per mile under batter power will cost.

In 2012, Toyota is expected to 20,000 to 30,000 Toyota Prius Plug-in hybrids that are approximately 12 to 18 miles on battery power only.

[Source]: HybridCenter.org

Tagged as: electric car, hybrid, hybrid car, Toyota Prius

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