Toyota has created a new model of hybrid car that plugs into a household socket with an increase in the distance it can travel between charges. Other major manufacturers are also developing their own version of plug-in hybrid cars. One thing they all have in common is a capacity to charge the battery as the car is being driven, through the brakes and the wheels rotating. The advantage of these plug-in hybrids is that they run for longer using the battery power than regular hybrids.
The disadvantage of any electric car at the moment is that most people’s electricity supplies come from power plants that use CO2 emissions. Whether the CO2 emissions from the electricity generated is less than the equivalent from a petrol car needs to be determined. This particular car gives a driving range of 13km using the electric motor on one charge, after which the petrol engine kicks in. So, unless you are planning to go on incredibly short journeys, there does not seem to be much point to this. It seems to be yet another token gesture that lacks any real green credentials.
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