Toyota tests plug-in Prius in UK

TOYOTA Motor Corporation (TMC) has expanded its development program of plug-in hybrid vehicles to the UK, commencing a 12-month trial last week using modified versions of the current Prius ahead of a production debut late in 2009.

While Japan, Europe and the United States will be first markets to sell the vehicle – to fleet customers initially, extending to private buyers in 2010 – the UK program will provide an important platform for the vehicle’s introduction into Australia.

Testing began last week in conjunction with EDF Energy, the British subsidiary of the French electricity supplier EDF, and involves setting up the necessary infrastructure, evaluating vehicle performance and ease of use, and surveying participating vehicle users.

The UK program follows similar trials already underway in Japan, the US, France and Belgium. The vehicles are using nickel-metal hydride batteries, although TMC has confirmed that the production version will feature lighter, more powerful lithium-ion batteries.

These batteries can be fully recharged using a standard electric plug or an electric charging post (40 of which are already installed) to extend its driving range in electric mode. In can manage the latter for short distances, while for longer distances the vehicle works as a conventional hybrid that relies on the combination of an internal combustion engine and electric motor.

According to EDF, which is also TMC’s plug-in hybrid partner in the French program, test results in other markets have found that fuel efficiency for the plug-in Prius is “significantly higher” than the current model. For trips up to 25km, the plug-in version reportedly consumes about 60 per cent less fuel than the hybrid Prius.

EDF said that one of the research objectives of the UK tests was to confirm such performance.

“Today’s announcement represents a step-change towards acceptance of electricity in combination with hybrid technology as a viable and sustainable transport solution,” said TMC managing officer Koei Saga, who is in charge of hybrid system development.

EDF Energy chief executive Vincent de Rivaz said: “Incorporating this vehicle into our fleet complements our work in developing electric charging posts for vehicles in the UK and in France. It supports our ‘climate commitments’, in which we have committed to cutting our CO2 emissions from our transport by 20 per cent by 2012.”

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