Toyota USA CEO Jim Press last week revealed to the National Press Club that Toyota was developing a plug-in hybrid vehicle. Yesterday the Japanese giant said it had received the approval of the Japanese government to test a plug-in hybrid Prius on Japanese roads.
The fleet of eight vehicles will enable Toyota to collect data concerning emissions and fuel consumption under real conditions. Later, Toyota plans to conduct the same tests across Europe and the U.S.
This is a big move for the Japanese carmaker, which was reluctant to develop a plug-in hybrid car due its high cost. A plug-in hybrid requires bigger and more expensive batteries than the batteries found in the Prius. But pressure from environmentalists and consumers as well as the upcoming competition from GM and Ford seems to have convinced Toyota to reconsider. Indeed, GM plans to sell the plug-in Volt in 2010. The American carmaker will display a concept car at the next Frankfurt Motor Show. Likewise, Ford is currently working on a similar project and has already shown the California Escapes vehicles.
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