As per a media report, Toyota Motor is mulling the initiation of mass-producing plug-in hybrid cars in 2012.

Saturday saw the Japanese business newspaper Nikkei that the production of the first year is hoped to be nearly 20,000 to 30,000 cars.

Last year, Toyota confirmed that it is mulling the commencement of testing 500 plug-in hybrid Priuses in 2010 for fleet owners.

While nickel hydride batteries are used in the present Priuses; however, Toyota plans to use lithium ion batteries for its plug-in vehicles. These batteries have been developed and made through a joint venture with Panasonic.

According to the media reports, the plug-in hybrid cars from Toyota will be able to go between 12 and 18 miles on a battery charge alone.

The much-awaited 2011 Chevy Volt is supposed to go into production in late 2010. The Volt will run entirely off its batteries and use the internal combustion engine to charge the battery for rides longer than 40 miles, which is quite different from a traditional hybrid.