The first Toyota diesel hybrid is expected
to be a subcompact car sold in Europe where diesel vehicles
are popular and hybrids have yet to catch on, but are
gaining momentum. To date, Toyota has sold over three-quarters
of a million
Prius
hybrids worldwide to an enthusiastic consumer base.
The advantage of the diesel-electric hybrid combination
will be greater fuel efficiency than the gasoline-electric
hybrid, especially at high speeds. Most gasoline hybrids
gain their greatest efficiency while stopped or at low
speeds, but the Toyota diesel hybrid is expected to
have the best of both worlds.
