Toyota Teams With Edf In France

摘要

EDF Energy and Toyota are to conduct joint trials of plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHVs) in France, including a new charging infrastructure. About 100 units equipped with lithium-ion batteries will be leased to selected companies and partners in Strasbourg, starting in late-2009, for three years. The vehicles will be tested by employees under every-day driving conditions. This programme is part of a global Toyota project, which will also entail trials in Japan and the USA in late-2009. Toyota says that its main objective is to further investigate the technology and performance of PHVs, whilst EDF energy will evaluate different operational options for the new charging infrastructure. Initial European road trials of PHVs started in France in late-2007 and were expanded into the UK in 2008. The trial programme is evaluating vehicle performance within an urban environment, vehicle infrastructure requirements, and driver behaviour and expectations.