This might look like your average third-generation Toyota Prius. Well it might except for the body decoration. What you see here, is a concept plug-in hybrid.

In place of the standard Prius' nickel-based batteries, Toyota says this vehicle carries lithium units built by PEVE (Panasonic EV Energy Company), a company 60-percent owned by Toyota.

The company says that beginning late this year it will begin distributing 500 such test vehicles into it's global fleet. Of those, the U.S. is scheduled to get 150 placed in what Toyota refers to as "stategic clusters" around the country. The aim is to acquire experience with real-world use of the plug in. When fully charged, Toyota says that the plug in will drive 12 miles on electric power only. Once that little bit of range is used up, the vehicle reverts to conventional hybrid operation.