DENVER, Oct. 17, 2012 – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. today announced the arrival of the 2013 Scion iQ EV in the United States. The iQ EV is a battery- electric four-seater city commuter car designed for car-sharing programs, in urban and campus environments.
“Toyota believes battery-electric vehicles have the potential to play a role in future mobility strategies,” says Chris Hostetter, TMS group vice president of strategic planning. “Up to now, cost and convenience issues have limited BEV’s appeal with a broad consumer market. Toyota developed the iQ EV specifically as a city commuter, for use in an urban environment, where driving distances are likely to be short, charging opportunities numerous, and its compact proportions beneficial.
In ideal stop and go driving conditions, the 12 kWh battery provides an estimated range of up to 50 miles on a full charge. However, it is a real 50 with Lithium-ion batteries. Bottom line is that this is a perfect around the town car!!
The vehicle can be fully charged in approximately three hours at 240V. Its 78-inch wheel base and 13.5 foot turning radius makes the iQ EV highly maneuverable in congested areas where streets are narrow and parking is at a premium.
“Approximately 90 iQ EVs will be available for fleet and car-sharing applications,” said Hostetter.
Details on individual iQ EV program partners will be announced in the coming weeks.
Performance and Efficiency
The iQ EV is replete with energy conserving features such as regenerative braking, heat pump air conditioning with a pre-conditioning option as well as:
- LED high-mounted stop light, heated front seats, and a heated windshield defroster.
- The iQ EV is equipped with a timer to match charge completion time with the time the vehicle will actually be driven, to help reduce battery degradation.
- In addition, there are three driving modes to select from: D range controls the vehicle to use the least amount of power during city driving;
- S range increases acceleration performance for brisker driving; and a B range that maximizes regenerative braking efficiency.
- Maximum output from the drivetrain is 47 kW (63 hp) with a maximum torque of 120 lbs.-ft.
- In S range the iQ EV accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 13.4 seconds, and from 30 to 50 mph in seven seconds. Its top speed is 78 mph.
Production
The iQ EV is manufactured at Toyota’s Takaoka Plant in Toyota City. Production began in September 2012.
Source:Toyota Motor Corporation
