British Gas will be offering Toyota customers – both private and fleet/business buyers – a range of products and services for safe, convenient and efficient vehicle recharging, designed to suit individual needs and preferences. The supplier is in the forefront of vehicle charging technology, and is expected to be the preferred choice for 70% of the national electric vehicle market in 2012.

Prius Plug-in Hybrid is set to deliver significant benefits in terms of energy efficiency and low emissions. Equipped with a lithium-ion battery, it will have an EV driving range of about 14 miles, with zero tailpipe emissions. Beyond the electric driving range, it can be used as a conventional full hybrid with all the efficiency of a standard Prius, and can be fully recharged from a standard 240V electricity supply in just an hour-and-a-half.

Thanks to its EV driving range, Prius Plug-in is expected to achieve fuel efficiency of 134.5mpg and unprecedented CO2 figures of 49g/km (target figures).

British Gas will support those customers wanting to take advantage of the low carbon benefits offered by Prius Plug-in with, as a first step, a full free of charge site survey, giving advice on the best way to equip their home for electric vehicle charging. The installation options include a dedicated circuit with a three-pin socket, costing from £275, and a purpose-designed charging unit for safe, easy, fast and future-proof charging, priced from £799.

For peace of mind, the charging unit can be protected by British Gas’s Home Electrical Care™ three-year protection package, which includes unlimited call-outs per contract year for home electrical repairs, including parts and labour.

Help with budgeting is available, too, with finance options to spread the cost if required, and the availability of cheaper off-peak charging so cars can be charged more cheaply at night.

British Gas will also meet the requirements of business customers, with a range that includes both post and wall-mounted charging points with double sockets. These can be engineered to deliver charging from 3kW to 43kW. In the future this will allow certain electric vehicles to be charged in less than an hour.

Dean Keeling, managing director of British Gas Smart Homes, said: ‘Electric cars are coming of age and this new partnership with Toyota is part of a continued drive by British Gas to make any type of electrically powered car simple, safe and more cost-effective.

‘Our national network of electrical engineers provides all the advice and expertise necessary to enable car owners to power their car safely and easily, and for less money.’

Jon Williams, Toyota GB managing director, said: ‘In order for our customers to maximise the benefits of Prius Plug-in Hybrid, and Toyota’s future electric vehicles, it is crucial that they have access to the appropriate charging infrastructure, and the right professional advice and support. British Gas has the experience, skills and resources to provide the high quality products and services Toyota owners should expect.’