EDF and Toyota trial plug-in electric cars

by Alex Brownsell, Marketing 10-Sep-08, 14:15

LONDON - EDF Energy and Toyota today announced the start of the road trial of Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles (PHVs) in the UK. Toyota's current hybrid cars will be trialled over a 12-month period as part of EDF's everyday company fleet. The first European PHV test was carried by the same brands in France from September 2007.

EDF and Toyota say that the UK trial is being carried out to test vehicle performance in an urban environment, as well as how drivers respond to the PHVs. The public's response to the new technology will also be measured, as part of preparations for a wider commercial release over the next few years.

EDF employees will be able to charge the vehicles at any of the 40 public charging stations, and the energy provider says it plans to install additional station in coming months.