Mass production of hybrid cars

TOKYO: Toyota Japan plans to mass produce the world's first production-line hybrid petrol-electric powered car within a year. The US$23,000 car will boast a twofold increase in petrol economy compared to Toyota's Corolla.

Toyota says the hybrid can reroute dead power generated by the petrol engine but not used for propulsion, to the car's battery, to be used later by the electric motor.