Following similar programs in the United States, Japan, France and Belgium, Toyota has begun testing a plug-in version of its Prius hybrid in the UK. As with the test in the aforementioned countries, Toyota will use the field tests to monitor vehicle performance, test the available infrastructure and also gauge consumer demand.
The tests, which kicked off September 10th, are being jointly run with EDF Energy – the UK subsidiary of France’s EDF. Toyota failed to mention how long the trial period was intended to last, but the Japanese automaker hopes to have the plug-in Prius ready for fleet sales in 2009, with retail sales slated to begin in 2010.
However, unlike Chevrolet ’s plug-in Volt – which is slated for sales in 2010 – Toyota plans to offer the plug-in Prius with nickel-metal hydride batteries — the very same used in the Prius on the market today. But thanks to larger battery packs and the ability to plug-in for extra power, the plug-in hybrid should be good for at least 8 miles of all-electric propulsion.
