Toyota showcased a prototype plug-in Prius hybrid at Legislative Plaza on today, June 16, during a field hearing on electric drive vehicles entitled for by the Congressional TVA Caucus.

According to news, the prototype Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) enhances the high fuel economy and ultra-low emissions of the well-liked Toyota Prius production hybrid model with a developed Nickel-Metal-Hydride battery pack that can be charged by plugging into a typical household electrical outlet. The vehicle is capable of working in pure-electric manner for extended periods of time and at max speeds up to 60 mph with more electric power set aside.

Toyota will include its next generation plug-in hybrid with Lithium-Ion batteries being assessed by commercial fleets in the U.S. and somewhere else by 2010. With over 1.5 million hybrid sales worldwide, Toyota is the established leader in hybrid technology.

"As we look ahead, we believe hybrids will continue to raise the bar for new technology. Plug-in hybrids can offer substantial gains in fuel economy and a reduction in total tailpipe emissions," says Robert Wimmer, Toyota's national manager for Technical and Regulatory Affairs, Energy & Environmental Research.

"When considering the benefit of new technologies, we must understand the relationship between large sales volumes and fuel savings. For example, if we double sales of a hybrid model, the fuel savings is greater than doubling its fuel economy with no change in sales volume. Therefore, it is critical that new technologies, such as plug-ins and fuel cells are introduced at a price point and utility that allow for high volume sales. Otherwise, their environmental benefit will be negligible," Wimmer added.