Toyota Prius plug-in hits UK

The Toyota Prius plug-in arrives in the UK

The next step in the Toyota Prius story is the plug-in Prius, which adds some Lithium-Ion batteries to the mix and the ability to plug the Prius in to the mains to get a usable kick-start to your day’s motoring, with an electric only range of up to 12.5 miles – around double the range a regular Prius can manage when fully charged.

Toyota announced plans to get 500 Prius Plug-in Hybrids on the roads in 2010 back in September last year to evaluate their real-world performance before the plug-in gets a proper release – probably in 2012.

Toyota are leasing 20 of the Prius plug-ins to a handful of public and private businesses in London as part of their plan to develop the Prius plug-in, and reduce the company’s overall CO2 levels – something which is sadly required by legislation.

Toyota’s claims for the plug-in Prius are the usual disingenuous “Electricty is free and green” based tripe, but because we’re here to inform the claim is 108.6mpg and Co2 emissions of 59g/km. Take it with a big pinch of salt.

Toyota are running the trial in London in conjunction with EDF energy, who are installing 30 new charging points round London as part of the trial. Toyota are planning on having a plug-in hybrid on sale by late 2011, although not necessarily the Prius.

At least the plug-in Prius is marginally more sensible than pure electric cars of the same size.

By Cars UK