Toyota launches plug-in Prius project in Paris

Toyota has entered into a partnership with French power company EDF to test the infrastructure for electric and plug-in hybrids in the region of Paris.

There will be around 150 to 200 charging sites in public parking spots and park houses around the French capital set-up by EDF to charge electric cars. Toyota will be using the new infrastructure to test the mobility capabilities of the Prius plug-in hybrid model.

Toyota hopes that the infrastructure will help boost the viability of the Prius plug-in, which could spend more time running solely on electric power in urban areas with the increased availability of such charging stations.

The Toyota Prius plug-in can run up to 20 km on a single charge on pure electric power and can reach speeds of up to 100 km/h (62 mph) too.