Toyota Motor Corp Executive Vice President Takeshi Uchiyamada announced that the Hybrid Plug-in Prius will soon be available to consumers at affordable prices. On Monday, the company said that they plan to introduce their hybrid vehicles in phases. The first phase will begin in 2010, with Government agencies and businesses in Japan, the United States and Europe. 600 Hybrid Plug-ins will be introduced - 230 in Japan, 150 in the US and 200 in Europe.

The commercial sales will start after two years. The first phase will help determine the demand for these cars.

The electric motors of the Hybrid Plug-ins use lithium ion batteries which can be recharged through a standard electrical outlet. This is a new concept since other hybrids require the engine as well as the braking system for recharging.

When the batteries in the Prius run low, an internal combustion engine runs the vehicle. The plug-in travels 23.4kms as an electric vehicle on a single charge, and gets 57 kms a litre in mileage.