In order to determine the number of lithium ion batteries it can fit into the Prius which it plans to sell in 2012, Toyota is launching into a three-year trial of plug-ins. The trial will begin at the end of 2009 in Strasbourg, France in partnership with energy provider EDF.
The collaboration is aimed at evaluating the requirements required for a broader charging infrastructure in preparation for its future public use. The lead venture will utilize plug-in variant of the next generation Prius coming with lithium ion batteries instead of nickel cells. The contract includes the lease of 100 lithium ion battery hybrids to local firms to evaluate patterns of usage, which will aid in the analysis of the required range and battery capacity for the production model.
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