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A ‘plug-in’ version of the third-generation Toyota Prius powered by lithium ion batteries will be ready for market early in 2010.

In an exclusive interview for Autocar, Toyota’s Executive Vice President responsible for research and development, Masatami Takimoto, confirmed that the company’s long-standing scepticism towards lithium ion battery technology has now been put to rest.

“We have made much development progress with lithium ion batteries over the last six months,” said Taki...Read the full article

Surely 'plug-in' cars are a non-starter (sic) in Britain, and Europe generally? Take your average British residential street, with on-street parking, and imagine what would happen to the flex that you run out across the pavement to your Prius for an overnight charge. The best that could happen is that it gets left alone. Far more likely though I would have thought would be (a) disconnection 'for a laugh' or (b) literal disconnection (ie with a knife) 'for a laugh', (c) an insurance claim from some chancer 'accidentally' tripping over your cable, the list goes on, I'm sure you could think of plenty more. By definition, most city dwellers (at whom these cars are supposedly aimed) live in this kind of high-density housing with relatively few having the luxury of off-street parking. Even the ones that do won't be immune from nocturnal jokers wandering into their gardens to make mischief with that interesting cable. Plug-in cars will appeal only to well-heeled and/or country dwellers, who won't want them.

A plug in hybrid? I can't see that catching on - I live 10 miles from work, there's no way they'll be able to give it a flex long enough. Our Dyson gets tangled if I just try to move from one room to another.

I like the idea (if you could afford the extra cost, and had a garage), it's the obvious choice. But the practical problems of charging it up for most people and the limited electric only range, must limit the sales potential. Just highlights the unintended consequences of many local authority's policy of giving planning permission for new housing provided there is no on-site resident parking: no parking = no clean cars.

I'm confused?

Does this mean the Li-ion Prius will only be powered by an electric motor, aka Tesla or does it mean you can "plug it in" to charge the batteries so it will take longer for the petrol motor to work?!?!?