In an attempt to break into new,
greener markets in the US, Toyota is planning to bring ethanol-powered
vehicles to America by 2008, starting with a flexible-fuel vehicle which
can run on up to 85 per cent ethanol or ordinary petrol.
There has been increased interest in cars that can run on ethanol, which
is made from plants such as corn, both from a government keen to reduce
reliance on oil imports and car manufacturers looking for ways to improve
the environmentally friendly appeal of their products.
Toyota is well established in terms of looking for alternatives to conventional
engines, and its hybrid petrol-electric Prius hatchback is currently the
market leader.
US car companies have already invested heavily in ethanol, particularly
E-85 fuel, comprising 85 per cent ethanol and 15 per cent petrol. Around
1.5m cars in the US can use this fuel; the real stumbling block is that
it is only available at fewer than 1000 petrol stations.
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