Toyota has begun trialling its Plug-in Hybrid Vehicle (PHV) in the UK, following successful trials of the vehicle in France last year.
Testing in the UK is being carried out in partnership with energy company EDF, whose employees will be given the chance to drive the eco-friendly vehicles .
The Japanese carmaker said the trials, which will last for over a year, will play a pivotal role in developing its Plug-in Hybrid technology as they will be used to evaluate the cars in an urban environment, infrastructure requirements and driver expectations.
According to the firm, the PHV can drive solely on electrical power, for short journeys, while over longer distances it works by suing with a conventional hybrid engine .
The batteries in the car can be charged using a standard electrical plug or one of 40 electrical charging posts, supplied by EDF. The energy provider said it plans to install more posts throughout the UK in the coming months.
