The ongoing expansion of plug-in hybrids is headed to a certain bright future as Toyota continues to promote these exceptional vehicles to the rapidly growing automotive industry. Forget about those filthy fuel filters because the future is here! The company has announced that it will present a number of Toyota Prius plug-in electric hybrid (PHEV) models at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit for executive shuttle service to and from the Cobo Center.

According to The Auto Channel, the Prius plug-in hybrids prototypes are parallel to the automobiles that were freshly brought to two University of California campuses. These prototypes are being used for studies and testing as part of Toyota's continuing sustainable mobility development program in partnership with the University of California at Irvine's Advanced Power and Energy Program and the University of California at Berkeley's Institute of Transportation Studies.

"Our goal with these early prototype vehicles is to begin the process of understanding customer wants and needs in order to help determine the optimal balance between electric vehicle miles, charge time, battery size and cost," said Bob Carter, Toyota Division group vice president and general manager.