Electric Vehicle Timeline: Electric Cars, Plug-In Hybrids, and Fuel Cell Vehicles

• Battery Electric Vehicle
• EPA Estimated Miles per Gallon Equivalent: N/A
• Though electric vehicle technology was pioneered in Europe (The 1899 La Jamais Contente set a world land speed record) they were well established in the U.S. in the early 1900s. In fact, in 1900, almost 30% of passenger vehicles were electric. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, Baker was one of the largest manufacturers of electric cars in the country. However, advances in gasoline vehicle technology after the turn of the century quickly made more range-limited electric cars obsolete.

• Battery Electric Vehicle
• EPA Estimated Miles per Gallon Equivalent: Gen 1: 97, Gen 2: 37
• The most iconic of the late-90s experiments in electric vehicle technology is the GM EV1. The Gen 1 model was available in some areas of California in December of 1996, and featured a lead acid battery that gave drivers a range of up to 50 miles per charge. The second generation vehicle entered production in 1999, and utilized a nickel-metal hydride battery that added expense but almost doubled the car’s range. The EV1 was available for lease only, and when the car was discontinued in 2003 all vehicles were reclaimed by GM.

• Battery Electric Vehicle
• EPA Estimated Miles per Gallon Equivalent: Gen 1: 55, Gen 2: 28
• The Chevy S10 EV, like the EV1, was an early GM effort to test electric vehicle technology. A small pickup truck, the S10 EV was available predominantly by lease for fleet applications, but roughly 60 were sold outright over the car’s 2-year production run. The first generation version of the vehicle had a lead acid battery that delivered roughly 40 miles of range. In 1998, customers had the option of buying a version with a nickel-metal hydride battery that doubled the truck’s range, but also significantly increased its price. The S10 EV was discontinued after model year 1998.

• Battery Electric Vehicle
• EPA Estimated Miles per Gallon Equivalent: 48
• The Honda EV+ was the first mass-produced EV to feature a nickel-metal hydride battery, as opposed to the lead acid battery of the first generation GM EV1 and S10. The Honda EV+ had a range of around 100 miles on a single charge. Approximately 300 vehicles were sold between 1997 and 1999, when the EV+ was discontinued and Honda turned its attention to its first hybrid-electric vehicle, the two-seater Honda Insight. For more information on the Insight and other hybrid-electric cars, go to the Hybrid Timeline.

• Battery Electric Vehicle
• EPA Estimated Miles per Gallon Equivalent: 78
• Toyota's all-electric SUV premiered in 1997, but was initially available for lease to fleets only. The RAV4 EV featured a nickel-metal hydride battery pack and a range of between 80-110 miles per charge. Beginning in 2003, a limited number of RAV4 EVs were available for lease to individuals, though the car was discontinued shortly thereafter. In total, Toyota sold or leased around 1,500 first generation RAV4 EVs. In 2012 a second generation RAV4 EV, a joint project of Toyota and Tesla, was released.

• Battery Electric Vehicle
• EPA Estimated Miles per Gallon Equivalent: 85
• The Nissan Altra EV was the first electric vehicle to feature lithium-ion battery technology, which was significantly lighter and longer-lasting than the lead acid and nickel-metal hydride batteries used by GM, Toyota, and Honda. The Altra EV had a range of roughly 120 miles and was discontinued in 2002.

• Battery Electric Vehicle
• EPA Estimated Miles per Gallon Equivalent: 119
• The Roadster, the first car from California EV startup Tesla, entered production in 2008. The vehicle, which had a production run of only 2,000 cars over three years, had a battery range of more than 200 miles. The 2010 version boasts a 248hp electric motor and a $109,000 price tag. The Roadster was discontinued in 2011, and was replaced by the larger and somewhat more affordable Tesla Model S.

• Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle
• EPA Estimated Miles per Gallon Equivalent: 60
• Honda’s experimental hydrogen-powered sedan is only available for lease in small numbers, and only in Southern California. Honda claims that the FCX clarity has a range of approximately 240 miles, similar to a conventional gasoline vehicle. The reason for the limited release is fueling infrastructure – Hydrogen fuel stations are still very scarce, and home refueling units are still being researched. Honda is currently nearing the end of a 3-year pilot program on the 2009 model, and an updated 2012 model has made appearances at recent auto shows.

• Battery Electric Vehicle
• EPA Estimated Miles per Gallon Equivalent: 98
• BMW’s strategy for entering the EV market was to produce a pilot vehicle in small numbers to serve as a test fleet. For their first effort they produced about 500 electrified MINIs, which were available for lease by individual customers in 2009. The test allowed BMW to gather important information on range and customer satisfaction. The lessons learned from the MINI E, including the feedback that the vehicle’s 100 mile range was large enough to satisfy 90% of drivers’ needs, was incorporated into the design of the 2012 BMW Active E and the i3, expected to launch in late 2013.

• Battery Electric Vehicle
• EPA Estimated Miles per Gallon Equivalent: N/A
• The Th!nk City was produced by Norwegian carmaker Think Global, and was among the first purpose-built, crash-tested and highway-certified electric cars in the world. It was powered by either a molten-salt battery or a lithium-ion battery, which the automaker claimed gave it a top speed of 68 mph and a range of 100 miles. In the United States, the first 100 units were produced in late 2010 with a price tag at $41,695 before any incentives. Due to financial difficulties, production was stopped in March 2011 and only 1,043 units were reportedly sold worldwide. The company filed for bankruptcy on June 22, 2011.

• Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle
• EPA Estimated Miles per Gallon Equivalent (first 35 miles): 93
• EPA Estimated Combined Miles per Gallon (after 35 miles): 37
• Indicating an entirely new direction for GM, Chevrolet’s Volt was the first major manufacturer plug-in hybrid vehicle on the U.S. market. The Volt’s design most closely matches that of a series hybrid configuration and can run on electric power alone for an EPA estimated 35 miles after which it operates on gasoline as a series hybrid until it can be recharged. A 1.4-liter gasoline engine serves as a generator to charge the battery and extend the range of the Volt to 380 miles. The Volt can be plugged into a 240-volt outlet for a full charge in less than three hours. The 2013 version of the Volt offers an EPA estimated all-electric range of 38 miles, slightly higher than the 2011 model.

• Battery Electric Vehicle
• EPA Estimated Miles per Gallon Equivalent: 99
• The Nissan Leaf is the first all-electric vehicle available nationwide, and the second plug-in vehicle released in 2011. GM’s plug-in hybrid Chevy Volt beat it to showroom floors by only a few months. The EPA estimates that the Leaf has a range of 73 miles before owners will need to recharge its 24 kWh lithium-ion battery. The Leaf’s starting price was $32,780 before federal and local tax credits, significantly less than its plug-in hybrid year-mate.

• Battery Electric Vehicle
• EPA Estimated Miles per Gallon Equivalent: 87
• Smart brought only 250 of its diminutive electric vehicles to the United States for lease during its first model year, but plans to increase production in model year 2013. The car’s 16.5 kWh battery provides approximately 85 miles of range.

• Battery Electric Vehicle
• EPA Estimated Miles per Gallon Equivalent: 107
• As with the MINI E, BMW’s first all-electric sedan is available for lease only. Only 700 vehicles were available in the United States, as part of a test of BMW’s EV technology. The Active E’s lithium-ion battery delivers a range of about 100 miles, and does it with a much more compact design than the MINI E’s battery. The lessons learned in the MINI E and Active E will feed into the final production designs of the i3 battery electric vehicle planned for late in 2013.

• Battery Electric Vehicle
• EPA Estimated Miles per Gallon Equivalent: 73
• After significant delays, the first fully electric sedan from California automaker CODA rolled off the assembly line in March 2012. The EPA estimates that the sedan has a range of about 88 miles, and the vehicle will cost $37,250 before tax credits. The body of the car is built in China, but the drivetrain is designed and assembled in the United States.

• Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle
• EPA Estimated Combined Miles per Gallon Equivalent (first 33 miles): 54
• EPA Estimated Combined Miles per Gallon (after 33 miles): 20
• The Karma is the first production model for California-based luxury automaker Fisker. The Karma boasts a 20.1 kWh battery and a 2-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine in a series hybrid configuration. The Karma operates on electricity for an EPA estimated 33 miles after which it operates as a gasoline powered series-hybrid until it can be recharged. Included in its base price of $96,895 is a roof-mounted solar panel that powers the vehicle’s air conditioning and accessories.

• Battery Electric Vehicle
• EPA Estimated Miles per Gallon Equivalent: 105
• EPA reports the full battery electric version of Ford’s popular hatchback has a combined fuel economy equivalent to 105 mpge and a range of 76 miles. Ford delivered the first Focus EVs to retail customers in California, New York and New Jersey in May of 2012, with a more gradual rollout planned in other parts of the country. The Ford Focus EV carries an MSRP of $39,200 before available tax credits.

• Battery Electric Vehicle
• EPA Estimated Miles per Gallon Equivalent: 112
• The Mitsubishi i-MiEV launched in Japan and Europe in 2010, but only arrived in the U.S. in November of 2011. With a base MSRP of $29,125 before federal and state tax credits and an EPA efficiency rating of 112 mpge, the i-MiEV was both the most affordable and most efficient model year 2012 battery electric vehicle. The price difference is likely a result of the i-MiEV’s smaller size and range – only 65 miles – than the Leaf.

• Battery Electric Vehicle
• EPA Estimated Miles per Gallon Equivalent: 89
• The Tesla Model S has a more modest price tag and more space than its predecessor, the Roadster. Currently-available 85 kWh battery packs allow the car to go up to 265 miles on a single charge. Versions with lower price tags ($67,400 and $57,400, before tax credits) and smaller battery packs (60 kWh and 40 kWh, respectively) are scheduled to enter production in early 2013. Each 2013 model will be priced $2,500 higher than its 2012 counterpart.

• Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle
• EPA Estimated Miles per Gallon Equivalent (first 11 miles): 95
• EPA Estimated Miles per Gallon (after 11 miles): 50
• Toyota has added a plug-in version to its growing Prius hybrid line. Toyota has taken a different tack from some of its competitors by offering a shorter electric range while maintaining the Prius’ superior efficiency when operating on gasoline. The Prius Plug-in features a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine paired with a lithium-ion battery pack and electric motor in a series/parallel hybrid configuration. As a result of the series/parallel design, the Prius is estimated to consume a small amount of gas even when operating over the first 11 miles of operation. For example, hard acceleration or high speed driving may necessitate the gasoline engine to operate to provide extra power to assist the 60 kilowatt electric motor. Toyota claims an all-electric top speed of 62 miles per hour. After an estimated 11 miles of charge depleting operation, when energy stored in the batteries from plugging in is consumed, the vehicle functions as a traditional Prius hybrid. The Prius Plug-in can be fully charged from a 240-volt outlet in 1.5 hours and pricing starts at $32,000.

• Battery Electric Vehicle
• EPA Estimated Miles per Gallon Equivalent: 76
• After discontinuing the original RAV4 EV in 2003, Toyota has developed the all-new 2012 RAV4 EV in partnership with Tesla. Featuring a 115 kilowatt electric motor and 41.8 kWh lithium-ion electric battery pack the vehicle boasts 154hp and 218 lb-ft of torque and can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 7 seconds in Sport mode. Toyota claims the RAV4 EV has a range of 103 miles and will receive an EPA rating of 76 mpge. Charging time is approximately 6 hours on a 240-volt/40A charger. It comes with a battery warranty of 8 years or 100,000 miles. Pricing starts at $49,800 and it’s currently only available in California markets.

• The 2013 Chevrolet Volt features a longer electric-only range of 38 miles, compared to the previous model.
• Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle
• EPA Estimated Miles per Gallon Equivalent (first 38 miles): 93
• EPA Estimated Combined MPG (after 38 miles): 37
• Indicating an entirely new direction for GM, Chevrolet’s Volt was the first major manufacturer plug-in hybrid vehicle on the U.S. market. The Volt’s design most closely matches that of a series hybrid configuration and can run on electric power alone for an EPA estimated 35 miles after which it operates on gasoline as a series hybrid until it can be recharged. A 1.4 L gasoline engine serves as a generator to charge the battery and extend the range of the Volt to 380 miles. The Volt can be plugged into a 240-volt outlet for a full charge in less than three hours. The 2013 version of the Volt offers an EPA estimated all-electric range of 38 miles, slightly higher than the earlier model.

• Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle
• EPA Estimated Miles per Gallon Equivalent (first 21 miles): 100
• EPA Estimated Miles per Gallon (after 21 miles): 43
• The C-MAX Energi features a 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle inline 4-cylinder engine paired to an electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack in a parallel/series plug-in hybrid configuration. Like the Prius Plug-in Hybrid, the C-MAX Energi may use some gasoline under certain conditions even when running primarily on stored battery power over the first 21 miles. However, unlike the Prius Plug-in, a user-selectable EV mode allows the driver to select EV-only operation, which prevents the gasoline engine from operating unless the pedal is fully depressed. Ford claims a top electric-only speed of 85 miles per hour. Pricing starts at $32,950.

• Battery Electric Vehicle
• EPA Estimated Miles per Gallon Equivalent: 118
• Powered by a 92 kilowatt electric motor and a 20 kWh lithium-ion battery the Honda Fit EV features an 82 mile range with a combined 123hp. Honda plans to release 1,100 cars from summer 2012 through 2013. It is currently only available for lease in California and Oregon markets with an east coast rollout expected in 2013.

• Battery Electric Vehicle
• EPA Estimated Miles per Gallon Equivalent: 121
• Toyota reports that the Scion iQ EV, a four-seater with a range of 50 miles, arrived in the US in October 2012 for limited release use in car sharing fleets. It features a 47 kilowatt electric motor, producing 120 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 12 kWh battery.

• Battery Electric Vehicle
• EPA Estimated Miles per Gallon Equivalent: 100
• The 2013 Smart Fortwo comes in coupe and cabriolet versions and features a 17.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack mated to a 55 kilowatt electric motor co-developed with Bosch. Boasting 95 lb-ft of torque and a predicted 90 mile range, the Smart Fortwo Electric Drive has a top speed of 77 miles per hour and can accelerate from 0 to 62 miles per hour in 11.5 seconds. Smart has announced pricing of $25,000 before tax credits.

Electric Vehicles on the Horizon 

• Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle
• Est. release date: 2013
• What we know: China’s BYD Co. released the world’s first mass-produced plug-in hybrid back in 2008, but it has been slow to arrive in the United States. Unlike other hybrids, the F3DM uses iron-phosphate-based lithium-ion batteries, which are cheaper and can reach 50 percent charge in 10 minutes and can be fully recharged from a household outlet in 9 hours. The expected price tag for the U.S. model is under $30,000, and with federal incentives may be close to $20,000—by far the lowest-priced plug-in vehicle on the market if that holds true. However, BYD’s electric vehicles will initially only be available for rental by fleets.

• Battery Electric Vehicle
• Est. release date: 2013
• What we know: Chinese electric car company BYD recently announced that the E6 will be on sale in early 2013, starting with fleet sales to Hertz. BYD stated that fleet sales will take priority over consumer sales until the charging network is more established. The E6 will be powered by a 75 kWh motor, producing 100hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, and an iron-phosphate battery. BYD projects a range of 186.4 miles.

• Battery Electric Vehicle
• Est. release date: 2013
• What we know: The Chevy Spark EV was revealed at the 2012 LA Auto Show and will be arriving in the US in the summer of 2013. The battery-electric Spark is expected to feature a lithium-ion battery of about 20 kWh, and uses the SAE Combo charger. Only available in California and Oregon, pricing is expected to be about $32,500 before tax incentives.

• Battery Electric Vehicle
• Est. release date: 2013
• What we know: Revealed at 2010 Detroit Auto Show, the electric version of the Italian mini-car is set to launch in U.S. in 2013. A 24 kWh lithium-ion battery pack will power an electric motor which Chrysler estimates will provide 111hp and 80 mile range. Notable differences over the gas-powered Fiat 500 include aerodynamic styling that leads to a 13% better drag coefficient.

• Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle
• Est. release date: 2013
• What we know: Ford has added a plug-in variant of its popular Fusion midsize car in model year 2013, which debuted in hybrid and conventional form at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. It features a 2-liter Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder gasoline engine paired with an electric motor and lithium-ion battery, the same as in the Ford C-MAX Energi. Ford expects an electric-only mpge of over 100, and a hybrid-only mpg of around 43. Electric-only range is expected to be around 20 miles. The Ford Fusion (in all of its forms) won the Green Car of the Year award at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show.

• Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle
• Est release date: 2013
• What we know: The Accord plug-in hybrid will feature a 2-liter 4-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine paired with a 124 kilowatt electric motor and 6.7 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. It will be powered by a continuously variable transmission and boast a total 196hp. Honda expects it will have an all-electric range of 10-15 miles and receive a 100 mpge rating from the EPA. Pricing has been announced at $39,780.

• Battery Electric Vehicle
• Est. release date: 2013
• What we know: Introduced at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show and set to hit showrooms in model year 2014, this super sports car has a 60 kWh lithium-ion battery and four electric motors powering each wheel, providing a total of 552 kilowatts, 525hp and 737 lb-ft of torque. It is predicted to accelerate to 62 mph in 3.9 seconds and top-out at 155 mph, which is only slightly slower than its non-electric counterpart and still quite impressive considering that it is 840 lbs. heavier. It is currently priced in Germany at over $540,000.

• Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle
• Est. release date: 2013
• What we know: Porsche went plug-in for the first time at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show with its Spyder plug-in hybrid concept. After significant positive reaction and commitments to buy the vehicle that’s rumored to cost over $800,000, Porsche officially gave the green light to build a production version of this car. It will feature a V8 engine of over 4 liters, producing 500+hp, paired with twin electric motors that will work together to provide over an additional 218hp. According to Porsche representatives, the vehicle supposedly goes 0 to 60 mph in 3 seconds, gets 78 mpge (though that’s likely on a full battery charge), and can go 16 miles on pure electric charge. The car weighs 3,747 lbs. (including batteries) thanks to carbon fiber-reinforced plastic body panels and an aluminum and magnesium chassis.

• Battery Electric Vehicle
• Est. release date: 2013
• What we know: The Croatian car manufacturer, Rimac, introduced the Concept One at 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. This car is reported to weigh 4,300 lbs. and cover a distance of more than 300 miles per charge. Its four electric motors provide 1088hp in total. The car accelerates 0 to 62 mph in 2.8 seconds and has a top speed of 190 mph. Along with the epic performance is the epic price: $980,000, and production scale is 88 units only.

• Battery Electric Vehicle
• Est. release date: 2013-2014
• What we know: The all-electric relative of the i8, BMW’s i3 is less sporty and intended for city-dwelling drivers. Although details of the battery and motor for the production version are scarce, BMW claims that the i3’s motor delivers 170hp, and offers an optional small “range extending” gas engine that functions as an emergency generator to recharge the battery on longer trips.

• Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle
• Est. release date: 2014
• What we know: BMW says that its i8 Plug-in Hybrid concept is 90 percent of what is to be expected in the production version. The i8, says BMW, goes from 0-60 mph in less than five seconds and achieves 78 mpg on the European scale. Its lithium-ion battery delivers an all-electric range of around 22 miles. A high-performance three-cylinder gas engine kicks in to cover larger distances. Expected price tag is in the “low six-figure” range.

• Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle
• Est. release date: 2013-2014
• What we know: Making its first appearance as a concept at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show as the Converj, the Cadillac ELR is scheduled for production in late 2013 and will be made at the same Detroit plant that produces the Volt. GM sources are saying that the vehicle will feature a Generation 1.5 Voltec drivetrain with a little more power than the Volt.

• Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle
• Est. release date: 2013-2014
• What we know: The Mercedes S500 plug-in hybrid concept was introduced at the Geneva Auto Show in 2009, and now reports from the automaker have this plug-in model fast-tracked for production by 2014. The concept featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine with a 7 speed transmission combined with a 60hp electric motor. The 10 kWh lithium-ion battery pack was estimated to have an electric-only range of 18 miles, making it closer to the Prius plug-in rather than the Volt in battery-only range. Mercedes executives are promising sub-6 second 0-60 mph acceleration and 70+ mpg on the European scale.

• Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle
• Est. release date: 2014
• What we know: The more moderately priced sister of the Fisker Karma, the Atlantic is slotted to be priced between $50,000 and $60,000, before federal tax credits and may be built in a retooled GM plant in Delaware. Given the Karma’s price bump from $85,000 to nearly $100,000, the Atlantic may end up pricier as well. It will use the same plug-in hybrid drivetrain as the Karma. Fisker has also entered into an agreement with BMW to use one of its turbocharged 4-cylinder engines at the gasoline segment of the Atlantic’s drivetrain. The agreement will allow Fisker to buy up to 100,000 engines a year depending on their level of production.

• Battery Electric Vehicle
• Est. release date: 2014
• What we know: Featured at the 2012 Geneva Auto Show, expectations are that the Model X will move into production by the end of 2013 and will be available on the market by 2014. It will be offered in rear-wheel drive, with a choice between a 65 and 85 kWh lithium-ion battery. Expectations are that it will be priced similarly to the Model S.

• Battery Electric Vehicle
• Est. release date: 2013-2014
• What we know: Volkswagen launched a pilot fleet of 20 E-Golf over a 9-month period on March 2012 in the U.S. The E-Golf is reported to have one electric motor generating up to 114hp and 199 lb-ft of torque that gives 0 to 60 miles per hour acceleration in 11.8 seconds, and achieves a top speed of 84 mph. It is powered by a 26.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack consisting of 180 cells, giving an estimated range of 93 miles. A version of this vehicle is scheduled for public release in late 2013.

• Battery Electric Vehicle
• Est. release date: 2014
• What we know: Nissan showcased the upscale version of the Leaf under the company’s luxury brand, Infiniti, at the 2012 New York Auto Show. The Infiniti LE concept, which Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn says is 85 percent of the way to final production, has a slightly more powerful version of the Leaf powertrain, including a 100 kilowatt synchronous electric motor that delivers 134hp and 240 lb-ft of torque and a 24 kWh lithium-ion battery with a projected range of 100 miles. The car is expected to charge wirelessly.

• Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle
• Est. release date: 2015
• What we know: Bugatti CEO Wolfgang Dürheimer confirms that his luxury automaker will be releasing a $1.4 million super car based on the 16C Galibier concept, which debuted in 2009. The conventional version is said to feature a 16-cylinder engine, and the plug-in hybrid is supposed to have a 25 mile electric-only driving range. No word as to whether the engine for the hybrid will be downsized. Bugatti hopes to sell between 1,000 and 1,500 units over the course of its lifetime.

• Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle
• Est. release date: 2015
• What we know: Hyundai’s third generation fuel cell vehicle, the ix35 crossover, is powered exclusively by hydrogen and is slated to begin small-scale production in 2012. Between 2012 and 2014 Hyundai plans to manufacture 1,000 FCVs for lease only and will begin full-scale production in 2015. The goal is to sell the vehicles for $50,000 each, although Hyundai has not yet released a firm MSRP.

• Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle
• Est. release date: 2015
• What we know: Jaguar has entered into a partnership with Williams F1 to turn the C-X75 hybrid concept supercar into a production version. The very limited run will be about 250 models, and will likely cost in excess of $1 million per car. While the concept version used micro turbine technology to run the batteries, the production version is more likely to be a more conventional plug-in hybrid. Jaguar is promising a vehicle that can go in excess of 200 mph with CO2 emissions of less than 99 g/km.

• Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle
• Est. release date: 2015
• What we know: Toyota began an initiative to bring fuel cell vehicles to market in 1992. It looks like this initiative will finally pay commercial dividends in 2015, as the automaker plans to bring its Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle (FCHV) drivetrain mating a hydrogen-sourced fuel cell with a battery-assisted electric motor to the public in a Toyota Highlander FCHV. Toyota believes it will be able to sell the vehicle for $50,000, as it claims it has reduced the cost of producing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles by 90 percent in the past five years and expects another 50 percent drop in price before 2015. The company is road-testing more than 100 of its Highlander FCHVs in the U.S. between 2010 and 2013 to prepare for the 2015 launch. Toyota says that the Highlander FCHV can go about 500 miles on a single tank of hydrogen.