Toyota has been testing out plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) in France since September 2007. The motor company is expanding these tests to the streets of London with the help of UK-based EDF Energy. EDF Energy has begun installing 40 plug-in stations in several test cities to accommodate a small fleet of Toyota Prius PHEVs. The utility company has found volunteers within its own ranks to test out the fuel efficiency of the Prius prototypes. EDF Energy and Toyota sent out the first PHEV on September 10, 2008 with plans to run the trials through the end of 2009.
Toyota is testing out the viability of a Prius PHEV in heavily traveled areas like London for two reasons. The company’s researchers will look at the driving behaviors of test drivers to determine if PHEVs are effective during the average commute. Toyota and EDF Energy are also interested in the infrastructure demands associated with a massive PHEV rollout.
Each Prius PHEV will be outfitted with a portable charging and invoicing system that can bill drivers for energy pulled from the EDF Energy grid. This system allows a test driver to plug in his PHEV to the charging post, recharge the lithium ion battery and get charged the right price without much effort. Toyota is hoping that the prototype’s lithium ion pack will make charging less frequent for the average driver than past prototypes.
This collaboration is possible due to the success of the French Prius tests. Toyota found that the Prius PHEV achieved better mileage than the standard Prius over short distances. The automaker is hoping that the rigors of driving through London will prove that the 60% fuel savings found in the French PHEV testing was not an aberration.
The Toyota-EDF Energy partnership offers both sides the opportunity to roll out PHEVs quickly. Toyota is planning to offer the Prius PHEV for corporate fleet purchases in Europe by December 2009. If the motor company finds that the UK trials are successful, they will be in a good position to produce additional vehicles to meet customer demand. EDF reaches 5.5 million customers throughout the United Kingdom, giving it the financial and public relations resources needed to install public charging stations and develop an effective plug-in infrastructure.
