Toyota Delays Use of Lithium Batteries for New Prius

The Wall Street Journal reports that Toyota has decided against the use of lithium-ion battery technology - at least initially - in the next-generation Toyota Prius , which is still expected in fall 2008. The company will instead, at launch, use a new version of the company's existing nickel metal hydride battery pack in the new Prius
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Will_ - 6/14/2007 11:02:00 AM

+2 Boost

Toyota most-likely realized that the cost-saving advantage from switching to Li battery wasn't that great to continue on with those plans.

I'm worried about the projected fuel-economy of the next Prius. Hopefully Toyota found some other significant way to further improve the existing battery technology.

SupraNeverBack - 6/14/2007 12:43:05 PM

+3 Boost

Rumor, which has been denied by Toyota.

1970toyotamarc - 6/14/2007 1:25:38 PM

+1 Boost

We've seen how many reports about this rumor? And still not comment from Toyota? Until Toyota says something, could we have no more articles on this please?

Having said that, I would hope that if the next Prius does not have the lithium, that it will at least have a larger or more powerful nickel battery, and plug in capability.

Will_ - 6/14/2007 1:36:39 PM

+1 Boost

A rumor?

Then why wont Toyota just come out and say yay or nay to squash it?

I do hope they would use Li batteries...

SupraNeverBack - 6/14/2007 1:43:01 PM

+3 Boost

"Mitsuo Kinoshita, a senior Toyota executive, recently denied Japanese media reports that Toyota had given up on having a lithium-ion battery system for the next-generation Prius."

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/WireStory?id=3253597&page=3

silent_power - 6/14/2007 3:25:06 PM

+1 Boost

Also Takimoto said that Li-on Battery is technically ready for production any time...

http://www.green-car-guide.com/news/toyota-hybrid-profitable-2010.htm