The Detroit Auto Show, which kicks off next month, is expected to be used as a fitting platform for the launch a hybrid concept by Toyota Motor Corporation. Toyota is the biggest name in the world when it comes to selling gasoline-electric hybrid cars. The model will be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show and would be available only as a hybrid. This model has taken the total number of hybrids to seven which the automaker sells in the U.S. under its namesake and Lexus brands.

Prius which has the combination of an electric motor and a gasoline engine makes up for the major chunk of global hybrid sale for the company. According to Jim Hossack who is an industry analyst, the rise in the prices of gasoline may see a rapid growth in the demand of the stagnant market for the hybrid models. Toyota plans to begin the retail sale of a plug-in version of the Prius very soon which can be recharged using a household electric outlet. The mass sale of these vehicles may get delayed though because of the increasing cost of the batteries.

According to a study, the cost of the rechargeable autos may cost $18,000 more than a conventional gasoline car because of the lithium-ion batteries. Batteries are expected to get cheaper by 2030 and would go a long way in reducing the oil use and carbon pollution. Coming back to the new hybrid, the company has not revealed much information about the concept apart from the couple of teaser images.