DENVER – Toyota announced its new battery electric 2013 Scion iQ EV is available in limited numbers for fleets. The automaker stated the vehicle is designed for car-sharing programs, such as those in urban and campus environments.
“Approximately 90 iQ EVs will be available for fleet and car-sharing applications,” said Chris Hostetter, TMS group vice president of strategic planning. “These programs will further expand Toyota’s comprehensive portfolio of advanced technology vehicles which includes the recently-released RAV4 EV, the Prius Family of gas-electric hybrid vehicles, including the Prius Plug-in Hybrid, and the FCHV-Adv (Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle-Advanced).”
As for the vehicle itself, the iQ EV uses Toyota’s new high-output lithium-ion battery, which delivers an electric power consumption rate of 104 Wh/km. The 12 kWh battery can provide an estimated range of up to 50 miles on a full charge in ideal stop and go driving conditions. Toyota stated the vehicle can be fully charged in three hours at 240V.
The iQ EV features a compact, lightweight body. Toyota built energy conserving features, such as regenerative braking, heat pump air conditioning with a pre-conditioning option, an LED high-mounted stop light, heated front seats, and a heated windshield defroster. The iQ EV also features a timer to match the charge completion time with the time when someone will drive the vehicle. The company said this is designed to help reduce battery degradation.
Outside, Toyota offers two exterior colors, Silver and Super Red. The vehicle’s body is two-toned, with the upper half and rear hatch being black, along with the front headlamp casings, black battery cooling air inlets, and wheel caps, which have black vents. Inside, the iQ EV has a black and white interior with metallic and ice-blue accents. The steering wheel is wrapped in leather.
For safety, Toyota equipped the iQ EV with 11 supplemental restraint system airbags. The front passenger seat also features an occupant detection system. The automaker also added its Star Safety System to the iQ EV, which features vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and Smart Stop Technology. The vehicle also comes with Hill start assist control and a proximity notification system that alerts pedestrians when the vehicle is approaching them.
The iQ EV comes with an HDD navigation system and an AVN unit that provides several electric vehicle-specific features. The display is a 7-inch LCD that can show audio or vehicle information, such as power consumption and energy flow in a split screen (the map appears on the main navigation screen). The system also offers a range map that can show an estimate of how far the vehicle can travel in a given charge state.
Toyota stated it manufactures the iQ EV at its Takaoka Plant in Toyota City. The automaker began production in September 2012. Toyota also offers a non-EV version of this vehicle called the Scion iQ.
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