Alain Uyttenhoven, Lexus' Vice President for Europe, has called into question the practical usability of plug-in hybrid cars, suggesting that a lack of charging infrastructure makes them difficult to keep on the road.
Uyttenhoven explained: “Plug-in hybrids make most sense if you live in a city, but people who live in cities usually have to park on the street, so where are they supposed to charge a car?"
Indeed, charging issues such as this could lead to a lot of calls to breakdown repair insurance providers.
The Toyota-owned company has been focussing its development energies on the fuel cell, a technology which Uyttenhoven says makes putting hydrogen in your car as easy as filling it with petrol.
Toyota aims to launch a full-production fuel cell vehicle in 2015.
However, Uyttenhoven was quick to point out that Lexus could adapt to the market very quickly if cable-free charging systems became widespread in built up areas.
Uyttenhoven revealed his company's stance on plug-in hybrid technology during a preview of the firm's new NX SUV, which will go head-to-head with the likes of the Range Rover Evoque.
At the preview he also said the company would not be working on any new diesel engines, aside from those developed for the firm's truck range.
Uttenhoven cited the forthcoming Euro 6 and Euro 7 emissions standards which will make running a diesel engine much more expensive, compared to conventional hybrid engines which are becoming considerably cheaper to run.
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