Toyota has selected Australia to join a 600-vehicle worldwide trial of plug-in hybrid technology. Toyota Australia will provide the five vehicles heading downunder to partner government and corporate customers.
The trial will be based on Toyota’s petrol-electric Prius equipped with lithium-ion batteries which can be charged using an external power source such as a 15-amp electric outlet. Toyota says using a 220V power source, recharging time is about 100 minutes.
“The trial will allow Toyota and its end-user partners to gather real-world information to better understand expectations for plug-in technology,” revealed Toyota’s sales and marketing director David Buttner.
When fully charged, the plug-in Prius offers a range of 20kms in electric-only mode and a top speed of 100km/h.
Unlike electric cars, the petrol-electric Prius switches to normal petrol-electric hybrid operation when the electric-only capacity is expired.
“If you forget to plug it in, you will still be able to drive to work and you will be able to continue to drive beyond the range of battery pack,” Mr Buttner explained.
Other countries participating in the trial include Japan, North America, the UK, France, Canada and New Zealand.
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