Toyota plans dialed-back launch of eQ and iQ EV city cars in December

Toyota's just-arrived RAV4 EV will soon get a much smaller cousin -- albeit a very elusive one. An electric version of the iQ city car will arrive in Japan (as the eQ) and the US (as the iQ EV) this December, but the automaker is significantly scaling back its 2010 promises of several thousand cars sold per year to just 100 fleet-oriented vehicles. The charging times, costs and range of EVs "do not meet society's needs," vice chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada says to explain the smaller ambitions. It's easy to understand the cautious approach after seeing the car's final details. While they're not out of line with the specs of other EVs, the eQ's 3-hour fast charge, 62-mile range and ¥3.6 million ($46,130) price wouldn't have regular customers flocking to dealerships. Most of Toyota's energy is instead being funneled into its tried-and-true hybrids, with 21 due on the market by 2015, as well as plans to deliver the company's first hydrogen fuel cell car by the same year. Eco-conscious drivers may be disappointed that Toyota isn't moving as aggressively into a pure electric realm as some of its rivals, but we'd rather see smartly planned baby steps than an overly risky plunge.Filed under: TransportationToyota plans dialed-back launch of eQ and iQ EV city cars in December originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Sep 2012 13:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Reuters  |  Toyota (PDF, translated)  | Email this | Commentsthe best coupon deals this week to pacific dualies 90910 pressureplus expansion the best coupon saver just for brembo 4 piston differential caliper 7008p buy ch the best coupons by mail in mityvac 6830 brake bleeder buy cheap 2012 amazon the best coupons by mail in seizmik 23048 versa shield buy cheap 2012 amazon the best coupons codes for bestop 61960 01 highrock oversize carrier buy cheap 2 the best coupons codes for the cardone 16 4007 remanufactured domestic caliper b the best coupons codes for the imperial 70977 uncoated wheel weights buy cheap 2 the best coupons free for the body armor jk 19331 triple bumper buy cheap 2012 a the best coupons in the mail at actron serrated saddle ram accessory buy cheap 2 the best coupons in the mail at yellow jacket series mainfold gauges buy cheap 2 the best coupons online for the bushwacker 50504 02 dodge street flares buy chea the best coupons online for the dynabrade 61384 dual action buffing head buy che the best coupons online on performance accessories 6613 guard pickup buy cheap 2 the best coupons online on roadi ep21 electronic brake diagnostic buy cheap 2012 the best coupons online printable available for acdelco 2sx34 2a cable assembly the best coupons online printable available for dayton 1f144 jack stabilizing 10 the best coupons on line to rugged ridge 11202 02 black hinge buy cheap 2012 ama the best coupons on line to star strtu470b fuel injection cleaner buy cheap 2012 the best coupon source to obtain 3m 01929 green corps fiber buy cheap 2012 amazo the best coupon source to obtain moog k9646 strut mount buy cheap 2012 amazon the best coupons printable just for fire extinguisher bracket heavy running buy the best coupons printable just for sharpe shp248758 fx300 hvlp spray buy cheap the best coupons printable to 3dcarbon 2005 2009 mustang scoop painted buy cheap the best coupons printable to cps products ma1234 aluminum manifold buy cheap 20 the best coupons suitable for cardone 15 4351 remanufactured severe caliper buy the best coupons suitable for machine silver 2005 2008 corvette screens buy chea the best cupons to fieldpiece hg1 hvac guide analyzer buy cheap 2012 amazon the best deals store for security company sz462 commercial traction buy cheap 20 the best deals store for yellow jacket 49883 charging manifold buy cheap 2012 am the best deals to obtain cardone 16 4091 remanufactured brake caliper buy cheap