Toyota tests plug-in hybrids in the U.K.
The plug-in hybrid vehicle being tested in the U.K. is basically a modified Prius.
(Credit: Toyota)With Toyota's announcement that it's testing plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHVs) in the U.K., it seems like the Brits are getting all of the plug-in love these days. The announcement comes with the news that Toyota is partnering with EDF Energy to make the PHVs part of EDF's company fleet. The vehicles will be driven by EDF Energy employees and evaluated in real-world conditions. Electric company employees have all of the fun.
The PHVs, which is essentially a modified Toyota Prius, can be charged at a standard electrical outlet or any of the 40 charging posts in the U.K. EDF Energy plans to help expand the network of charging posts in the coming months. Supplemented by the periodic charges, the Toyota PHVs will be able to travel farther on electric-only power, eliminating the use of the gasoline engine completely for short trips. Toyota is claiming that for trip less than 25km (15 miles), the PHVs will use roughly 60 percent less fuel than the people's champion of green, the standard Toyota Prius Hybrid.
The test is currently U.K. only, but with the American public clamoring for ever-thriftier vehicles, there's little doubt that the tech will eventually be seen on American roads. Hopefully, by then the EPA will have figured out how to evaluate the fuel economy of such unconventional vehicles.
Also, let's wait until the toyota plugin and the volt come out before we compare. One thing I would bet though: the toyota plugin won't cost $40,000 (if it costed that much, it would be a lexus)
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by BenFlavoredCandy
September 11, 2008 9:10 AM PDT
- From what I've heard about Toyota's work on PHEVs, their system will be the same as the Chevy Volt's. That is to say, it will be an electric car until the charge runs out, then it becomes your standard hybrid. Unless they have had a major change in direction, which I doubt, this is most likely the system they are testing in the UK.
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by streamline35
September 11, 2008 6:46 PM PDT
- Not trying to be argumentative or anything, since I agree with almost everything you said here - but I think that PHEV are still cleaner here. As I understand it, running a car off of electricity generated by coal plants is still cleaner than running on off gasoline, only to the fact that coal plants are far more efficient than gas engines. Coal plants are roughly 80% > where as internal combustion engines are 25% < efficient. But electric cars powered by burned gasoline (in a plant) would still certainly be cleaner than electric cars powered by coal.
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(4 Comments)On another note, tests like this are easier overseas because PHEVs charge on 220V. While many people have 220V outlets in their homes, they are not universal, which causes some charging difficulties. Also, when looking at total emissions, PHEVs are worse than standard hybrids on the current US electric grid [before anyone yells at me, it completely depends on where you live, but I am talking averages].
Anyway, other than that little note, good post!