Toyota Conducts Plug-in Testing

Washington DC September 12, 2008; The AIADA newsletter reports that Toyota is eyeing the UK as the next battleground for its plug-in hybrid.

Automotive News reported that the Japanese automaker started field testing its plug-ins on UK roads September 10. The goal is to assess the infrastructure, evaluate vehicle performance, and survey potential demand.

The tests follow similar road trials in the United States, Japan, France, and Belgium. Toyota said last month it will start fleet sales of the plug-in ahead of schedule in 2009.

The current tests involve vehicles with nickel-metal hydride batteries, but the vehicle targeted for production will feature lighter, more powerful lithium-ion batteries.

Plug-in hybrids use the same dual-drive train as regular hybrid vehicles. Yet they have bigger batteries that can be recharged from an outside electricity source. This allows them to travel farther in electric-only mode.

Meanwhile, England also has been invaded by an army of German plug-ins. Daimler currently has a fleet of 100 diminutive Smarts roaming the English roads.