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Toyota to launch 'plug-in' hybrid trials in UK

Wednesday, 10 Sep 2008 11:51
John Hutton MP has praised Toyota and EDF Energy's hybrid vehicle trials
EDF Energy and Toyota have announced they are to team up for road trials of the first 'plug-in' hybrid vehicle (PHV) in the UK.

The tests will continue for more than a year from today (September 10th) and Toyota's right-hand drive PHV will make its on-the-road debut as part of EDF Energy's company fleet.

Toyota is hoping the results of the trials will play a very important role in the future development of the PHV technology.

The tests also follow on from the French trials that began in September 2007, with the UK partnership designed primarily to evaluate performance in an urban setting.

It will also look at vehicle infrastructure requirements and drive behaviours and expectations.

The test vehicles will be sporting an "innovative" charging and invoicing system, compatible with the new generation of public charging stations.

These aim to make electric power easier to access on public roads and car parks. EDF Energy has been invovled with the installation of the first of 40 such charging posts in the UK, with more planned.

John Hutton MP, UK secretary of state for business, enterprise and regulatory reform, commented: 'I welcome the launch of this trial here in the UK. I am pleased to see industry pulling together to work on diversifying energy use and cutting global carbon emissions.

"We hope that this trial will provide an invaluable insight into the future development of UK electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

"This, combined with the demonstration project announced by the prime minister, will lead us one step closer to making our ambition of becoming the number one location for low carbon vehicles a reality."

"We are very excited to expand our PHV road testing programme to the UK in collaboration with EDF Energy,’ said Koei Saga, managing officer in charge of hybrid system development
at Toyota.

"Today’s announcement represents a step change towards acceptance of electricity in combination with hybrid technology as a viable and sustainable transport solution."

Vincent de Rivaz, EDF Energy chief executive, said: "I am delighted that EDF Energy will play a pivotal role with Toyota in trialling this innovative vehicle and technology as part of our ongoing work to make clean electric transport more accessible to everyone.

"We passionately believe in rising to the challenge of climate change by helping our customers reduce the carbon emissions from their energy use.

"Incorporating this vehicle into our fleet complements our work in developing electric charging posts for vehicles in the UK and in France.

"It supports Our Climate Commitments, in which we have committed to cutting our CO2 emissions from our transport by 20 per cent by 2012."

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