Toyota prepares first plug-in hybrid vehicle

Toyota is preparing the world’s first plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) that can travel 20 kilometers solely on electric power, with 500 units to be used on a lease marketing arrangement in Japan, the United States and Europe. Based on the third-generation Prius hybrid car, the concept PHEV Prius was introduced at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show held from October 21 to November 4. Yutaka Matsumoto, Toyota Motor Corp. Project general manager for research and development, disclosed that the new Prius PHEV will use lithium-ion batteries giving it a 1,000% increase in range compared to the third-generation Prius. (November 7, 2009)