TOYOTA TO GO ELECTRIC IN 2012

Toyota to launch pure electric car in U.S. by 2012
Chang-Ran Kim (w/ Peter Bohan), January 11, 2009 (Reuters via UK Guardian)

“Toyota Motor Corp said it would launch an all-electric car for city commuting by 2012 in the United States as part of its plan to speed up the introduction of green cars as its global sales falter.

“The FT-EV concept made its debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit on Sunday, where the world's top automaker is also unveiling two new gasoline-electric hybrid cars…

“Toyota said the concept car is targeted at the urban dweller driving up to 50 miles (80 km) between home and work…

“Toyota, which had previously said it would aim to get an electric car out by the "early part of the next decade", would join rivals General Motors Corp and Nissan Motor Co in the race to grab the lead in the zero-emission car segment…

“…Toyota said it still considered gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles its long-term core powertrain technology…

“General Motors…has said it will launch its Chevrolet Volt electric car in the United States in late 2010. GM says the Volt will have a 40-miles (64 km) range for driving on one battery charge.”