Lexus Skipping Plug Hybrids - Advancing Directly To EV and Fuel Cell Vehicles

Lexus will move straight from hybrids to fuel-cell cars and full EVs over the next few years, according to Europe boss Alain Uyttenhoven.

The strategy will see Lexus first launch a hydrogen-powered luxury saloon based on the LF-FC concept in 2020, before moving towards smaller electric cars and SUVs (as previewed by the LF-SA concept) later down the line.

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valhallakey - 9/29/2017 11:07:57 AM

+2 Boost

I think the European market will need hybrids for a while. Long traffic Jams high speed highways favor that approach allowing you to be emission free while in the cities yet have the legs for extended high speed driving and sitting in 3+ hr traffic jams. However Lexus & Toyota don't have a huge market in Europe so may not matter much to them.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 9/29/2017 7:26:11 PM

+1 Boost

Toyota has always said Hybrids for now but Hydrogen power is the future. This move does not surprise anyone following that part of the auto business (propulsion).

TomM - 9/30/2017 7:38:27 AM

+1 Boost

The original Plug in - the VOLT - has only sold small amounts of cars. THE market has clearly said that the Plug in is not the answer for them. I believe it is because the plug-in still has very limited range on Electric mode. AS ranges increased - sales of EVS did so too - and if the range on a Plug in was over 100 miles - that might be a sales tool - but for many - these 30-50 mile ranges do not even cover their trip TO work. If the purpose is being green - the return trip is still ICE powered.

MDarringer - 9/30/2017 5:39:14 PM

+3 Boost

Hybrid for now and EV for the future is the correct move. I seriously doubt hydrogen will ever be viable.

jameswisrik - 10/1/2017 10:10:55 AM

0 Boost

wrong again MDarringer! Lexus/Toyota/Honda are leaders in alternative energy source. I'd rather have Fuel Cell...and many are in line for this. Toyota / Lexus/ Honda are very conservative companies...they won't do anything like 0-60mph in 2secs, but really only idiots on crack only look at 0-60. Others will follow just like they did with hybrids and ev! Thank God for Toyota & Honda...making reliable efficient vehicles, or we would still be dependent on POS Americans / German vehicles getting 5mpg..that would trap us in a never ending dependence on Opec paying $20 / gallon. Sucking our retirement savings dry for repairs and fuel cost! TAKE A KNEE TO TOYOTA/HONDA mdarringer...you pos welfare, sec 8, food stamp, obama loving, nfl-loving, black panther disrespecting American!

MDarringer - 10/1/2017 10:22:20 AM

+1 Boost

@jameswisrik You're such a triggered, flailing moron. The impediment to hydrogen isn't the technology on the manufacturer's side, but the infrastructure on the private sector side and there simply isn't a reason for private parties to invest in building "gas" stations for hydrogen. By contrast, anyone and his dog can install EV charging stations for dirt cheap.

I am curious about one thing. How can a person simultaneously be "Obama loving" and "black panther disrespecting"?

I would also suggest finding a doctor and getting on some heavy tranquilizers.