Last week Toyota said it would begin testing plug-in hybrids in Japan, and now the company is working with the University of California at Berkeley on real-world driving tests.

The California Air Resources Board, California Energy Commission, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., UC Irvine and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District will also participate in the research.

Researchers will study user behavioral response - including recharging and refueling patterns - to PHEV technology, and conduct technical energy use and environmental and economic assessments.

Recharging your car battery frequently does require a change in behavior, so it will be interesting to see how quickly the test subjects adapt.

Toyota will also make the manufacturing plant in Japan where they produce the Prius more sustainable by:

Reducing CO2 by using renewable energy, including biomass and natural energy sources, such as solar power and wind power Contributing to the local community and conserving the environment by planting trees at plant Achieving groundbreaking environmental performance by introducing innovative technology and kaizen (improvement) activities.

However, the environmental group Freedom From Oil took Toyota to task in a statement:

“While we are encouraged that Toyota is putting the first consumer class plug-in hybrids on the road, we are surprised that they are not maximizing the potential of plug-ins. By testing with sub-optimal battery technology that provides an all-electric cruising range of only eight miles, Toyota is overlooking existing plug-in prototypes that have batteries capable of significantly better performance.

This refers to nickel metal hydride batteries currently used in the Prius, as opposed to the more advanced lithium ion batteries that several other companies are experimenting with.

From from FFO:

"Today’s step forward on plug in hybrids is contradicted by Toyota’s continued involvement in the lawsuit against California’s efforts to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions from tailpipes. Toyota should shift its resources away from fighting California’s clean air legislation and toward mass-production of these road-ready cars that would easily meet California’s mandate."

This is an odd one. Toyota has joined a lawsuit that against a new law that limits greenhouse gas emissions, but its cars already exceed the requirements. Toyota is acting out of solidarity with other auto companies when it has nothing to gain.