FIRST PLUG-IN HYBRID IN THE UK

+ Click to Enlarge HOOKED UP: Toyota's plug-in Prius charging from an EDF "juice point" in central London.

September 11, 2008

Toyota and electricity supplier EDF Energy have teamed up to road test what they say is the first plug-in hybrid vehicle in the UK. Toyota's plug-in Prius will be part of EDF's company fleet for a year and will be tested by employees under every-day driving conditions.

The partnership is designed to evaluate the car's performance, infrastructure requirements and driver behaviour and expectations in an urban environment

Toyota and EDF Energy are using a new charging and invoicing system, built into the car, that's compatible with a new generation of public charging stations intended to make electric power more accessible on public roads and car parks and to reduce the cost to the customer.

EDF Energy has helped to install the first of 40 charging posts in the UK, with more to follow during the test period.

The plug-in Prius uses Toyota's hybrid technology with the added benefit that the vehicle's batteries can be fully recharged using a standard electrical plug or an electrical charging post to extend its range in electric mode.

It can be driven for short distances as a battery car with zero emissions and works as a conventional hybrid vehicle for longer journeys. It provides "the best of both worlds" by enhancing the benefits of hybrid technology and avoiding the constraints traditionally linked with battery-powered vehicles.

Early test results indicate that fuel efficiency is significantly higher than the "standard" Prius. For example, the plug-in consumes about 60 percent less fuel than an ordinary Prius on trips up to 25km.

The test also aims at understanding consumers' acceptance of the new technology, as a
preparation to broader commercialisation in the future. Toyota has already confirmed that it will sell lithium-ion battery-equipped plug-in hybrids to fleet customers in Europe and other regions by the end of 2009.

UK secretary of state for business, enterprise and regulatory reform John Hutton said at the launch of the test programme in London: "I'm pleased to see industry pulling together to diversify energy use and cut global carbon emissions.

"This trial will provide valuable insight into the future development of UK electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles."

Toyota hybrid development manager Koei Saga said: "Today is a step towards acceptance of electricity in combination with hybrid technology as a sustainable transport solution."

EDF Energy chief executive Vincent de Rivaz said: "I'm delighted that EDF Energy will play a role with Toyota in testing this technology as part of our efforts to make clean electric transport more accessible to everyone.

"We believe in rising to the challenge of climate change by helping our customers reduce their carbon emissions – and having this car in our fleet helps us develop electric charging posts for the UK and France."