Toyota To Test Plug-In Hybrids in Japan, Europe and U.S.
July 25, 2007

The plug-in hybrid race is on.

Toyota announced in Japan today that it has developed a plug-in hybrid that it will test on public roads in Japan, Europe and the U.S.

Like other Toyota hybrids, the Toyota Plug-in HV uses a gasoline internal combustion engine, an electric motor and a nickel-metal hydride battery –- not the advanced lithium-ion batteries currently under development.

The five-passenger Toyota Plug-in HV, like the Chevrolet Volt concept unveiled by General Motors at this year’s Detroit auto show, uses increased battery capacity to allow longer electric-motor-only cruising mode and a battery-charging device that replenishes the batteries using household electricity. That enables the car to run more often in gasoline-free, electric-only mode, such as on short trips in city driving.

Japan’s Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport certified the Toyota Plug-in HV for public roads, making it the first plug-in hybrid to receive such certification. Toyota plans to conduct public-road tests in Japan with eight Toyota Plug-in HV models to verify electric-motor-only cruising ranges and optimal battery capacity. The tests will also gather data to help the Japanese government formulate test methods for emissions and fuel-efficiency.

Toyota also will conduct tests on public roads in Europe and the U.S.

Posted by Michelle Krebs at 3:50 AM under News , Technology , Toyota | Comments (0) | digg this | Seed Newsvine