All-electric and plug-in hybrid fleet vehicles (PHV) are a step closer to reality for UK businesses after Toyota announced it is to lease over 150 of its next generation PHV to fleets here next year.

In addition, Peugeot has confirmed it is fine tuning its launch strategy for fleets interested in its all-electric car that is due to arrive here next year.

The French carmaker is investigating a range of solutions that will allow fleets to take advantage of the new technology – and help it to increase market penetration.

Phil Robson, Peugeot’s director of fleet operations told Fleet News that options such a guaranteed buy back and battery leasing are all being studied prior to the launch.

“We will bring it to the market properly,” he said.

“We know the lease companies will not take a gamble so we are investigating all aspects to make sure it is attractive to fleets.”

Robson also confirmed that Peugeot’s hybrid diesel technology, which arrives here in the 3008 passenger car at the end of 2010, will also be available in its vans, although no launch date for a diesel hybrid Peuegot LCV has been set.

Meanwhile Toyota confirmed that EDF will be among the UK fleets that will take part in a three-year programme designed to allow the carmaker to monitor its plug-in vehicle’s performance in the real world.

The PHV cars will be offered on three-year lease contracts at a higher cost than the Prius, which is already priced higher than a typical similar-sized diesel car.

The trial will allow Toyota not only to determine the viability of plug-in hybrids but also to assess how much it can charge fleets to lease them.

A Toyota spokesman confirmed that the carmaker will probably lease the cars to fleets directly rather than through a lease provider.

Toyota will also be carrying all of the residual risk.

“These are limited run production cars (500 worldwide) and so don't have a comparable sale price yet,” he said.

“Part of the reason for doing it is to establish what cost premium could be competitive/justified set against the running cost benefits.”

Running costs are expected to be directly comparable to a Prius, although MPG will be higher and emissions lower.

The cars can be driven as pure zero-emission electric vehicles for shorter journeys, while for high-speed, long-distance journeys they operate like a full hybrid, with their petrol engines serving as both a power source and battery generator.

A PHV can be charged during driving like a regular hybrid (through driving, deceleration or braking) or by attaching its plug to a standard electrical outlet.

Compared to standard hybrid, a PHV is able to run more often in its electric-only mode, meaning lower running costs and less CO2.