At present, the iQ EV is scheduled to go on sale in the USA in 2012, but Toyota says it's looking at its potential in other markets, including Europe, Japan and China.

It also added that it plans to launch 11 hybrid vehicles by the end of 2012, including both all-new and re-designed models. It has also confirmed that Prius Plug-in Hybrid, currently undergoing a demonstration programme in London and other worldwide locations, will go on sale in Europe, Japan and the USA from early 2012.

Toyota also expects to introduce a saloon fuel cell hybrid vehicle (FCHV) in around 2015 in markets where a fuel supply infrastructure has been established – expected to be Europe, Japan and North America.

The firm additionally said that it's investing in research and development of next-generation batteries, beyond the lithium-ion type featured in Prius Plug-in. Options being investigated include solid-state batteries and metal-air batteries, which have the potential to provide a much higher energy density than the lithium-ion type.