2010 Toyota Prius: Gas tank idea ditched

The gas tank in the Toyota Prius is much like our very own bladder, as it can often shrink in cold weather. Toyota has come up with its own solution to this problem, and the new 2010 Toyota Prius (Review and photos) will no longer have this underperforming bladder.

The Toyota Pirus has been around since 2001, and from the start has used a synthetic fuel tank bladder. This system allowed the fuel tank to slowly collapse as more fuel was taken out, but this meant that in cold weather the fuel tank could not take its full 11.9 gallon capacity if the temperature was below 70-dergrees.

According to AutoBlog, the new third-generation prius will now come with a conventional rigid fuel tank, though it will be made from a lightweight resin. This new tank is to also feature an improved vapor-recovery system; this will help to reduce hydrocarbon emissions allowing the Pirus to keep its low-emissions rating.

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