Work Truck Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Toyota Leaps Ahead In Global Race For Eco-Friendly Vehicles

by Staff
June 19, 2001
2 min to read


Even as President Bush was outlining his own assessment on the impact of global warming to a skeptical Europe last week, automotive engineers in the U.S. and abroad have been racing to develop alternative fuel technologies for a cleaner atmosphere. But while most automotive manufacturers' entries are still on the testing circuit, Toyota has just announced what is believed to be the world’s largest range of environmentally friendly “hybrid“ vehicles. Toyota says it will have its new Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle, the FCHV-4, ready for commercial production in 2003. Now in road testing, the vehicle promises a top speed of 93 mph and range of 155 miles. Fuel cell technology produces less than one-tenth the emissions of a conventional gas-powered vehicle. General Motors and Toyota have joined forces to develop a fuel that can be used with either internal combustion engines or fuel cells. At the same time, Ford, DaimlerChrysler along with their fuel cell development partner Ballard Power Systems, and ARCO, Shell and Texaco have formed the California Fuel Cell Partnership for much the same purpose. It is the first time automotive companies and fuel suppliers are joining together to demonstrate fuel cell vehicles under real day-today driving conditions. Noting this momentum, Toyota is pressing ahead with development of its hybrid vehicles, particularly the FCHV-4 passenger car and the FCHV-BUS 1, a fuel cell bus that can hold more than 60 passengers and reach a top speed of up to 50 MPH.

More Small Fleet

Cover of a whitepaper titled “The Hidden Costs of Departmentally Assigned Vehicles on Your Fleet” featuring a black fleet vehicle driving on a road at sunset. Subheadline reads: “Discover how your fleet can reduce costs and minimize risk by implementing vehicle sharing.” The document focuses on fleet optimization, vehicle sharing, cost reduction, utilization tracking, and risk management for fleet operations.
SponsoredMay 13, 2026

Why Fleet Managers Are Replacing Departmental Vehicles with Shared Motor Pools

Departmentally assigned vehicles often create hidden costs through underutilization, poor visibility, and increased administrative burden. This white paper explores how shared motor pool strategies help fleets reduce costs, improve accountability, and optimize vehicle utilization.

Read More →
SponsoredMarch 9, 2026

Boosting Last-Mile Fleet Uptime, Safety, and Value with AI Vehicle Inspections

AI-powered inspections are transforming last-mile fleets by replacing manual checks with highly accurate automated scans that detect defects in seconds. By giving fleet operations visibility into the daily condition of their vehicles, you can identify trends over the vehicle’s lifecycle that enable improved procurement decisions, route management, driver training and accountability.

Read More →
SponsoredMarch 1, 2026

Report: How AI Is Reshaping Fleet and Field Service Operations

AI is moving beyond the back office and into the driver’s seat of work truck and field service operations. New research shows fleets are using AI to improve predictive maintenance, optimize dispatch and routing, reduce downtime, and boost technician productivity, while also tackling challenges around workforce adoption and data readiness. Discover the trends, technologies, and real-world use cases shaping the future of connected work truck fleets.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
SafetyFebruary 4, 2026

Five Ways Seat Belts Help Prevent Injuries

There are five ways seat belts protect occupants from injuries, according to the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

Read More →
SponsoredJanuary 14, 2026

It’s here: The 2026 Fleet Technology Trends Report

What does AI mean for fleets? Get the answer — and learn other top tech trends.

Read More →
Wreaths Across America graphic highlighting the role of small fleets in delivering wreaths to honor veterans, featuring wreath icons and the American flag.
Small Fleetby Lauren FletcherDecember 8, 2025

Small Fleets, Big Impact: How Independent Drivers Power Wreaths Across America

Check out how small fleets and independent drivers power Wreaths Across America each December and why their impact matters more than ever.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A stressed person covers their face, illustrating that 65% of small fleet managers handle all operations alone, according to a Vehicle Management Systems (VMS) survey.
Small Fleetby StaffNovember 12, 2025

VMS Survey Finds 65% of Small Fleet Managers Run Operations Alone

A new VMS survey shows small fleet managers are stretched thin, with most handling operations solo and eager to adopt digital tools for relief.

Read More →
Safe Driving on Halloween over spooky fall road
Safetyby StaffOctober 20, 2025

Tips for Driving Safely on Halloween Night

This video features a reminder from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, urging drivers to prioritize safety this Halloween.

Read More →
VMS Co-CEO David Prusinski highlights the company’s AI-powered virtual fleet manager designed to improve uptime and reduce operating costs for fleets.
Green Fleetby Lauren FletcherOctober 6, 2025

AI, Access, and Uptime: VMS’s Next Chapter with David Prusinski

VMS’s new Co-CEO, David Prusinski, shares how an AI-first approach will give small fleets and repair shops the tools to compete like big players.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of tire tracks and winter scenes.
Small FleetMay 24, 2025

Fleet Managers Share Winter Prep Tips: It's Never Too Early!

Three fleets share best practices to prep vehicles for winter and prevent downtime when the cold sets in.

Read More →