20+ Automakers Have Developed or Are Developing Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles
By Scott Doggett May 17, 2010
Our friends at CalCars, the Palo Alto, Calif.-based nonprofit organization of entrepreneurs, engineers and environmentalists promoting high-mileage plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, today posted a list of 20-plus automakers who have developed or are in the process of developing PHEVs.
We're posting the list here because, with only a glance, you can see just how serious the auto industry has become about plug-in cars in recent years.
Also, while it sometimes seems 100-percent battery-electric vehicles are hogging the spotlight, many people view PHEVs as likely to be better received by the general public because they don't generate the kind of range anxiety pure EVs do.
AUDI: A1 Sportback or e-tron concept (pictured) vehicles may be introduced first in Europe.
BMW: Vision PHEV concept of 2009 now headed for production in 2013.
BYD: F3DM may be introduced in US in 2011.
CHRYSLER: Following its integration with Fiat, proceeding with its Department of Energy-sponsored demonstration project with 140 Ram pickup truck PHEVs.
CITROEN: Revolte (concept).
DAIMLER: Mercedes Benz Blue Zero and S500 (concepts).
FISKER: Karma now scheduled for 2011.
FORD: Escape SUV now set for 2012; C-MAX compact multi-activity vehicle in Europe by 2013.
GENERAL MOTORS: Chevy Volt MPV5 (crossover concept).
HYUNDAI: Blue Will concept car aimed at 2012.
JAGUAR LAND ROVER: Range_e four-wheel drive diesel in 2013-2015 and a possible XJ PHEV (Tata owns JLR).
KIA: The Ray concept is part of its EcoDynamics project.
MITSUBISHI: The PX-MiEV aims for production in 2013, electrically-driven rear wheels giving four-wheel drive capability.
PEUGEOT: plug-in diesel hybrid in 2012.
PORSCHE: The 918Spyder (concept) adds a 16-mile all-electric range to a powerful sports car.
PROTON: Malaysian manufacturer shows multiple series PHEV concepts, with its subsidiary, Lotus.
SUZUKI: Swift concept now going to Japanese dealers for testing in fall 2010.
TOYOTA: Prius Plug-in around 2012.
VOLKSWAGEN: The Golf Blue-E-Motion moved from concept to a 2013 date for sale in the U.S; TwinDrive (concept).
VOLVO: Plans diesel series PHEVs in 2012.
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Thanks, Scott, for picking up on this very inspiring list!
We did want to emphasize that these twenty are most of the new entrants announcing in the last six months -- IN ADDITION TO roughly the same number of companies with everything from concept-cars to production-intent models to vehicles heading our way this year. Find that earlier list at our page, "How Carmakers are Responding to the Plug-In Hybrid Opportunity" at http://www.calcars.org/carmakers.html
-- Felix Kramer, Founder, The California Cars Initiative
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