Has Toyota decided that plug-in vehicles have a future after all? Or is the company just taking advantage of Chinese policies that incentivize people to buy PHEVs, even if they never plan to plug them in?

Whatever its motivation may be, Toyota has announced that it will launch plug-in hybrid versions of the Corolla and its sportier cousin, the Levin, in China in 2018.

Toyota has been producing the Prius in China since 2005. Last year it introduced hybrid versions of the Corolla and the Levin, both featuring locally developed hybrid powertrain components. To support the launch of the plug-in versions, Toyota is proceeding with localization of PHEV development at its Chinese facilities.

Source: Toyota via Green Car Congress