Toyota Corolla plug-in hybrid in development – report
Toyota may be developing a plug-in hybrid Corolla, according to a report from Japanese auto website Best Car Web.
Unlike Toyota's popular Corolla Hybrid currently available in the line-up, a plug-in hybrid would allow the vehicle to be driven entirely on battery power for a typical commute.
For example, the plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) version of the Toyota RAV4 – which is not currently offered in Australia – provides an all-electric range of 62 kilometres, before the petrol engine needs to take over.
While there is currently a Corolla PHEV available in China, its underpinnings are based on the previous-generation Corolla, and is closely related to the Toyota Prius offered locally.
The popularity of plug-in hybrids has risen dramatically in Australia this year. Despite new-car sales seeing a 20.8 per cent reduction year-to-date compared with 2019, PHEVs have increased by a whopping 53.3 per cent over the same period.
While the Toyota Corollas has been one of the most popular small cars ever sold here, in September 2020 the model posted its worst sales result in two decades, being outsold by both the Hyundai i30 and Kia Cerato.