Toyota Plans 21 New Hybrid Models in 3 Years

Toyota Motor Corp. says it will expand its lineup of hybrid vehicles by 21 models by the end of 2015.

Toyota, which did not identify the new vehicles, expects annual worldwide sales of its hybrids to easily surpass 1 million units over the next three years.

The company also says it will begin low-volume sales in December of the eQ, a $46,100 electric version of its iQ city car. The 2,400-lb eQ will have a range of 62 miles per charge and a top speed of 78 mph. Toyota says the little four-seater can be recharged in as little as three hours with 200-volt alternating current or to 80% charge in 15 minutes with a DC power source.

The eQ will join an electric version of Toyota's RAV4 small crossover vehicle, which is being introduced now. But Toyota says market demand for the new car will be far more modest than it predicted in 2010 when it unveiled the eQ in concept form.

At the time, the company forecast annual sales of several thousand units. But Toyota Vice Chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada tells reporters in Tokyo that current EV capabilities "do not meet society's needs." He says Toyota expects to sell only 2,600 RAV4 electrics over the next three years.

Toyota affirms it will begin limited sale of a fuel cell-powered sedan in about 2015 and, through its Hino Motors affiliate, a fuel cell-powered bus in 2016. The company provided no details about either vehicle.