Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid coming by 2010

Toyota’s 3rd-generation Prius, already a huge hit in Japan, is enough for the company to ramp up production of the hybrid to pre-recession levels. Now the automaker plans to lease a plug-in version to corporate and municipal customers in Japan by the end of 2009.

Just 200 are slated for release in its home country under a joint program with the Japanese government at promote the adoption of plug-in hybrids and EVs. The 2010 Prius hybrid uses a nickel metal hydride battery, but the plug-in Prius will feature a lithium-ion pack.

Toyota wants to eventually introduce a total of 500 vehicles globally, primarily to fleet customers, during this experimental phase. Toyota also plans to send 150 plug-in hybrids to the United States.

The plug-in will be based on the 2010 Prius, of which there are already more than 80,000 orders in Japan alone.

Plug-ins are touted for triple-digit fuel economy, but a test fleet of 17 plug-in Prius hybrids in the Seattle area has achieved an average of only 51 mpg. Officials said the problem lies with driver behavior rather than the technology.

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