Have you been looking forward to test driving the new electric version of the Scion iQ anytime soon? Well, unfortunately, Marion Toyota is here to tell you that the vehicle won't be as widely promoted as was previously anticipated. Due to infrastructure and technology issues and consumer wants, the automaker is now scaling back its efforts and building only 100 units for Japan and the U.S.
Takeshi Uchiyamada, Vice Chairman of Toyota explains, "The current capabilities of electric vehicles do not meet society's needs, whether it may be the distance the cars run or the costs or how it takes a long time to charge."1
Currently, the iQ EV only has a range of about 50 miles, and the company has expressed its thoughts that right now plug-in hybrids are a smarter solution than EVs. These plug-in vehicles can go for short distances on EV power only, then shift over to hybrid power when their battery power is exhausted.
Uchiyamada also adds, "Toyota has seen that many customers are not yet willing to compromise on range and they don't like the time needed to recharge the batteries. . . .Moreover, the infrastructure for recharging has not become as widespread as originally anticipated."2
If you're still in the mood for a Toyota EV, the new Toyota RAV4 EV, arriving soon, should do the trick, however.
For more Toyota and Scion updates, be sure to stay tuned here with Marion Toyota, conveniently located at 3300 W Deyoung Marion, IL 62959. We always have the latest new Toyota and new Scion news!
Source: 1,2http://bizbeatblog.dallasnews.com/2012/09/toyota-scales-back-production-plans-for-electric-scion.html/
