Jun. 12, 2001
Toyota's 'Mild Hybrid' System Boosts Fuel Efficiency 15%
Tokyo-TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) unveiled today a simple, easy-to-adapt hybrid system called THS-M (Toyota Hybrid System-Mild) that is ideal for application in many types of automobiles. Toyota plans to introduce this fuel-saving, emissions-reducing system in actual production vehicles later this year.
THS-M mainly comprises 1) a small motor-cum-generator connected to a high-efficiency engine by an electrical accessories-powering belt, 2) a compact 36V secondary battery for appropriate power supply to the motor and 3) a control unit.
The system's 36V battery (in a 42V power system) suitably meets the large electrical power needs of hybrid vehicles and appropriately handles the increasing electrical load of modern automobiles. The higher voltage and resulting smaller possible current in a 36V-battery system allow wire harnesses to be much thinner than those in standard 12V systems, contributing to overall weight reduction and resource conservation. Thus, moves are afoot toward the international standardization of the 36V battery as the next-generation electrical power source (42V PowerNet) for automobiles.
THS-M is the latest in a number of TMC advances in the practical application of environment-friendly automotive technology. In 1997, Toyota released the Prius, the world's first production hybrid vehicle. Featuring THS (Toyota Hybrid System), this sedan, powered by an electric motor and gasoline engine, recently surpassed the 50,000 mark in domestic sales, with total sales worldwide at around 60,000 units*2. Toyota will soon increase its hybrid lineup with a minivan featuring THS-C (Toyota Hybrid System-CVT*3), which provides drive power suited for larger vehicles. Toyota is also applying its hybrid know-how to fuel cell-powered vehicles, such as in the development of a fuel cell hybrid vehicle, or FCHV.
*1Based on TMC survey; *2Based on TMC calculations; *3Continously Variable Transmission
THS-M mainly comprises 1) a small motor-cum-generator connected to a high-efficiency engine by an electrical accessories-powering belt, 2) a compact 36V secondary battery for appropriate power supply to the motor and 3) a control unit.
The system's 36V battery (in a 42V power system) suitably meets the large electrical power needs of hybrid vehicles and appropriately handles the increasing electrical load of modern automobiles. The higher voltage and resulting smaller possible current in a 36V-battery system allow wire harnesses to be much thinner than those in standard 12V systems, contributing to overall weight reduction and resource conservation. Thus, moves are afoot toward the international standardization of the 36V battery as the next-generation electrical power source (42V PowerNet) for automobiles.
THS-M is the latest in a number of TMC advances in the practical application of environment-friendly automotive technology. In 1997, Toyota released the Prius, the world's first production hybrid vehicle. Featuring THS (Toyota Hybrid System), this sedan, powered by an electric motor and gasoline engine, recently surpassed the 50,000 mark in domestic sales, with total sales worldwide at around 60,000 units*2. Toyota will soon increase its hybrid lineup with a minivan featuring THS-C (Toyota Hybrid System-CVT*3), which provides drive power suited for larger vehicles. Toyota is also applying its hybrid know-how to fuel cell-powered vehicles, such as in the development of a fuel cell hybrid vehicle, or FCHV.
*1Based on TMC survey; *2Based on TMC calculations; *3Continously Variable Transmission
