Toyota plans to sell ethanol-powered vehicles in the US by 2008, an unnamed company executive told the Financial Times (FT).
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It reportedly will start selling a flexible-fuel vehicle, which can run on up to 85% ethanol or ordinary petrol, after a surge of interest in ethanol, a fuel made from plants such as corn or sugar cane.
The FT said Toyota had resisted the technology amid worries about the impact of highly-corrosive ethanol on rubber seals in the engine – the new vehicle would be fitted with anti-corrosive parts to meet US regulations.
“We’re studying all alternative fuels,” Toyota reportedly said. “We will not be outflanked.”
The financial daily noted that last year’s surge of consumer interest in hybrid vehicles – in which Toyota has established a lead – has shown signs of flagging amid questions about whether the extra fuel efficiency justifies the high purchase price.
It added that General Motors and Ford have thrown their weight behind “flexible fuel” vehicles, partly as a way to comply with US fuel-economy regulations. They are lobbying for wider acceptance of E-85 fuel, comprising 85% ethanol and 15% petrol. Although about 1.5m cars in the US can run on this fuel, it is available at only about 700 out of 165,000 filling stations, the FT added.
According to the paper, Toyota suggested that a less ambitious strategy of mixing only 10-15% ethanol into petrol might produce greater savings, given that it would require little or no adjustment to existing engines.
