Hong Kong Environment Bureau said on Sunday it will conduct a three-month trial starting in January 2011 on a new model of hybrid vehicle, the Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid, to encourage carmakers to focus on the Hong Kong market as they prepare new electric vehicle launches.

"Hong Kong is glad to participate in the testing scheme of these new vehicles, which will serve to expand the fleet of environmentally friendly vehicles in Hong Kong," Secretary for the Environment Edward Yau said after a test-ride in the vehicle Sunday.

The new model of hybrid vehicle, known as a hybrid plug-in, will be driven principally by electric power, with a gasoline engine as a secondary power source. A number of the government departments will participate in testing the model's operational performance, said Yau.

The Hong Kong trial of the Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid is part of a global testing scheme, under which the US, Europe, Japan and the Chinese mainland markets are also involved. Data and operational experiences gathered will enable the product to better cater for the needs of specific markets.