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Toyota starts testing plug-in hybrids in UK
Hans Greimel
Automotive News
September 11, 2008 - 3:35 am ET
TOKYO -- Toyota is eyeing the UK as the next battleground for its plug-in hybrid.
The Japanese automaker started field testing its plug-ins on UK roads September 10 with EDF Energy, the local subsidiary of the French power company EDF. 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.
Sales had been slated to start in 2010.
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.
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