Li-ion? Puhleeze. Toyota working on next-next-gen batteries

Much has been made of the fact that Toyota is seemingly behind General Motors and other manufacturers in the race to adopt lithium-ion batteries as the future battery of the hybrid and electric vehicle market. Lithium-ion batteries pack more energy into less space than nickel metal hydride batteries, which are the current industry standard in hybrids. Could this delay in the adoption of lithium ion technology be because they have something better up their corporate sleeves for the next-next Prius? According to reports from Japan, Toyota may be investing in zinc-air batteries, which are currently popular only in your grandpa's hearing-aid. If the rumors are true, these new batteries would make up a big chunk of Toyota's plan on offering a hybrid version of every car it sells by 2020. In the meantime, expect to see lithium-ion batteries in future Toyota hybrid models until it's ready to unveil its newest battery technology, whatever that may be.
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pushrod27 - 3/7/2008 6:27:34 AM

+2 Boost

My mom just bought a dark green SC430. It's actually a cute car for a lady. It rides a lot more harshly then i expected a Lexus to, though.

I took it for a spin once just to see what it was like. The transmission is excellent - it provides strong acceleration, but it shifts quickly to keep the revs down, which saves gas, I suppose.

One thing surprised me: the engine redlines at 6,000 rpm (the pushrod V8 in my Impala SS revs higher), and while the handling was stable and predictable, the steering feel/effort are awful.

I told her to buy an SL instead, but she's actually impressed by the Lexus badge (women!) and she got a really good deal on the SC.

Spectator - 3/7/2008 9:27:37 AM

-6 Boost

Obama08...you should keep your head down...that shot crossed your bow at about 2inches.

+1 pushrod

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 3/7/2008 1:23:38 AM

-6 Boost

Until there is a sudden rise in demand for Zinc, then there will be a spike in price.

XYZZ - 3/7/2008 5:15:51 AM

+3 Boost

remember the thread, which pointed out without the economies of scale ONLY TOYOTA could generate, the lithium-ion batteries WILL NEVER be economically viable for GM or anybody else short of luxury makers?

maybe toyota has decided to play hard ball, going this route and leaving everyone else even FURTHER BEHIND.

pushrod27 - 3/7/2008 6:13:01 AM

+2 Boost

'economies of scale ONLY TOYOTA could generate...'

How is this possible when GM builds and sells as many (arguably a few more or a few less) than Toyota??? GM buys just as many parts and supplies as Toyota, so how is Toyota able to generate an economy of scale that GM is not?

XYZZ - 3/10/2008 9:27:49 AM

+1 Boost

NOBODY, least of all gm, produces as many HYBRIDS.

so no one else will be ORDERING Li-ion batteries in the numbers only toyota can/will.

if toyota SKIPS Li-ion and goes with zinc-air, the gm Volt will be DEAD before it even gets to showrooms. (unless gm wants to subsidize the high battery costs.)

pushrod27 - 3/7/2008 6:32:31 AM

+2 Boost

'...it's newest battery technology, whatever it may be.'

This article contains no actual information. You lure me in promising a story about Toyota's newest battery technology, and then i get 'whatever it may be.'

What the hell is that supposed to mean?

autopro - 3/7/2008 4:33:42 PM

+2 Boost

Sorry about your sex life.Slow witted one

farabira1 - 3/7/2008 10:01:22 AM

+2 Boost

Cool, but the air zinc batteries will be quite expensive. And it will take some years to develop it. Looks like for now, Toyota will provide it's nickel ion batteries.

w209w114 - 3/7/2008 12:51:28 PM

-5 Boost

SPECULATION! And a made up story to distract from the reality that they are losing the war on Lithium Ion Batteries.

autopro - 3/7/2008 4:38:32 PM

+3 Boost

They only spend 10 million a day on R@D.

asiancars233 - 3/9/2008 1:41:20 PM

0 Boost

What is Toyota not working on?..