Wikipedia still says that the Saturn Vue will be the first PHEV on the market. Is this still true?
I’ve also heard that Jay Leno has now managed to get a PHEV Ford Escape for himself.
I’d really like to get a Vue or Escape (which ever is available first) as they come of the line. Does anyone have information about the schedule for these two cars?
There’s a company that makes a Saturn Sky converted. it is about 50K
Wow, I just came across my own post by way of a google search! I thought that mass marketed PHEV’s would be a hot topic on the web, but it seems completely impossible to find any information about any of them!
I’m going to try to make a timeline of announcements from the major car manufacturers. If anyone can actually find out how to get one in the U.S., please let me know!
General Motors
Dec 2006: GM announced at the LA auto show that the Saturn Vue would be the first commercially available PHEV, shipping in 2009:
LA Auto Show: GM Announces Commitment to Saturn Plug-In Vue
GM Media Online
Jan 2008: GM said that it was “almost ready”:
From Detroit: Saturn Vue Plug-in Hybrid Nearly Released
Jan 2010: GM announced a PHEV version of the Cadillac XTS:
http://origin-cadillac-prod-iad.pnangis.gm.com/assets/en/images/experience/landing/content/concepts/xts_platinum/10_NAIAS_Cadillac_XTS_Platinum_Concept.pdf
Ford
Dec 2007: The first 20 PHEV Ford Escapes hit the road for research purposes:
Ford Plugs In Hybrid - Ford
Jan 2009: Ford states that its first PHEV vehicle (Ford Escape PHEV) will be released in 2012, as it focuses first on BEVs (being released in 2010 and 2011):
FORD?S ELECTRIFIED VEHICLE STRATEGY OVERVIEW | Ford Motor Company Newsroom
PHEV | 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid - Part 2
One source says that there will be 5000 PHEV Ford Escapes in 2012:
Ford says it will make 5,000 PHEV’s in 2012 - GreenHybrid - Hybrid Cars
Toyota
Toyota has a flash site for their PHEV vehicle, but it has just pretty pictures, and very little information:
Plug-In Hybrids
July 2007: Toyota says that 2 US universities are now making use of Toyota PHEV vehicles for research:
@Toyota: Behind the Wheel
Nov 2007 and Dec 2007: These sites state that PHEV test vehicles have been delivered to UC Berkeley and UC Irvine:
https://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/toyota/PRN-TYT2007110961930.aspx
About Toyota | Our News | Toyota Environmental Update - Forty-seventh issue, December 2007
This page says that they are planning to release 500 PHEV Priuses in late 2009 for testing purposes. There is no date on the article:
Advanced Vehicle Technology
June 2009: Toyota has made 200 PHEV vehicles available in Japan through leasing programs:
Green Car Congress: Toyota to Lease 200 PHEVs in Japan Starting at End of 2009, 500 Globally; Gen3 Prius Plus Li-ion Pack
December 2009: Toyota shows off the “2010 PHEV Prius” in the LA auto show:
Toyota Vehicles : 2010 Prius Plug-in Hybrid Makes North American Debut at Los Angeles Auto Show / Toyota
Now that everyone doubts the safety of Toyota hybrids, I wonder if these will be available for discounted prices… lol