Toyota (www.toyota-global.com) has achieved its target of 1.5 million ‘electrified’-vehicle sales in a year — three years ahead of target.

The figure marks an increase of 8% on the previous record, set in 2016, and it puts the company on course to reach its next target of 5.5 million electrified-vehicle sales a year by 2030.

The UK contributed to this performance with a 40% increase in hybrid- electric vehicle sales in 2017 to more than 45,500 units (Toyota and Lexus models combined).

Global sales of Toyota electrified vehicles now amount to more than 11.47 million since the introduction of the original Prius in 1997.

Toyota Motor Corporation executive vice-president Shigeki Terashi said: “In just over 20 years, we have seen sales of new electrified vehicles increase from less than 500 to more than 1.5 million.

“This is a testament of faith from our customers in the quality, durability and reliability of our electrified powertrains.

“Thanks to them, we have established a solid and sustainable foundation for the mass production of a more-diverse port-folio of electrified vehicles across our range.”