Toyota showcases household rechargeable Prius plug-in hybrid

Toyota Motor Corp, the world's biggest seller of gasoline-electric hybrid cars plans to start retail sales of plug-in hybrids in two years as environmental concerns boost demand for fuel-efficient vehicles.

According to executive vice president Takeshi Uchiyamada, the company is looking at sales of 'several tens of thousands' of plug-ins a year globally. Uchiyamada was speaking to reporters at an event showcasing the latest Prius plug-in hybrid on Monday in Tokyo.

The auto major will start leasing hybrids from today to governments and businesses and aims to secure agreements to cover 600 hybrids through the first half of 2010.

The company will introduce a short-distance electric car in 2012 according to Uchiyamada.

With governments cutting back on gasoline use and pushing for lower carbon-dioxide emissions, several manufacturers are lining up hybrid or electric versions including Nissan Motor Co, General Motors Co, Daimler AG and start ups such as Tesla Motors.

Toyota's plug-in, can be recharged at household electrical outlets and initially is fully powered by a lithium-ion battery. After a 23.4 kilometer run its gasoline engine kicks in to run with the battery on a hybrid system. According to Uchiyamada the overall fuel economy is about 57 kilometers per litre (134 mpg).