Toyota Will Delay Lithium Battery Intro in Hybrids

priusFTW · 06-14-2007, 10:09 AM

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/...ws/message/766
Toyota Motor Corp., worried over the safety of lithium-ion battery technology, has decided not to use that technology for the initial versions of its next-generation Prius gasoline-electric hybrid car, whose launch was scheduled for the autumn of 2008, according to individuals familiar with Toyota's product plans.

The move, those individuals said, is aimed chiefly at dealing with potential problems with the application in the redesigned Prius of lithium-ion batteries, a new technology that packs more electricity in the same space and weight than the nickel-metal hydride batteries used in nearly all hybrid vehicles sold today. Toyota ...

**efusco** · 06-14-2007, 10:14 AM

Above is to a Yahoo! post.
Here's link to the WSJ article (preview only unless you subscribe...I don't)
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1181708277...=googlenews_wsj

SomervillePrius · 06-14-2007, 10:15 AM

Argh,

Don't break my heart! While I had lost hope on plug-in (from the start) in 09 I was hoping to LiIon batteries as they would give some real EV range without too much space taken up. I'm sure NiMh can do reasonable EV range but they will take up more space.

It will be interesting to see what they come out with.... Only thing that perked my ears are the prius stationwagon mentioned.... THAT would be a killer car for me

Swanny1172 · 06-14-2007, 10:35 AM

How dare Toyota put safety before MPG...

Come on folks, the lithium-ion battery technology just isn't where it needs to be yet. Give it a few more years and you'll see it start to proliferate.

SomervillePrius · 06-14-2007, 10:38 AM

Not sure it's so much about safety as durability....

jdenenberg · 06-14-2007, 10:53 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SomervillePrius @ Jun 14 2007, 10:15 AM) [snapback]461497[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

It will be interesting to see what they come out with.... Only thing that perked my ears are the prius stationwagon mentioned.... THAT would be a killer car for me
[/b]

I need a AWD, high MPG hybrid. Why is it that the only manufacturer that is approaching this market is Ford (I no longer buy Fords, been there - done that). Please Toyota, add a rear wheel motor to the Prius as an option (as in the Highlander), or produce a Rav4 hybrid. My wife's 1997 Subaru Outback has 205,000 miles and will need to be replaced someday.

JeffD

Swanny1172 · 06-14-2007, 10:57 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SomervillePrius @ Jun 14 2007, 10:38 AM) [snapback]461513[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Not sure it's so much about safety as durability....
[/b]

"Toyota Motor Corp., worried over the safety of lithium-ion battery technology, has decided not to use that technology for the initial versions of its next-generation Prius gasoline-electric hybrid car, whose launch was scheduled for the autumn of 2008, according to individuals familiar with Toyota's product plans."

Winston · 06-14-2007, 10:59 AM

Bummer.

Although, they gotta do, what they gotta do.

malorn · 06-14-2007, 11:36 AM

Toyota thinks their collective s*it doesn't stink, reminds me of General Motors say 25 years ago. They are dropping balls all over the place, and finally the problems are beginning to pile up because of the arrogance. The opening is now there for GM to go right on by Toyota over the next few years as far as fuel/alternative fuel/emissions technology. It will be very interesting. I wish Ford and Chrysler would get their acts together, I think Cerebrus will help Chrysler a ton.

SomervillePrius · 06-14-2007, 11:42 AM

Malorn,

I hope you are right and GM emerges as the "green" company. I think it's harder to do then to say and so far I have ONLY seen press releases and promises made.

So while Toyota might be "dropping balls all over the place" they are at least producing "green" cars. It's easy for GM to not drop the ball as they haven't even picked it up yet. Even if they claim over and over that they will.

I think most companies have realized that catching the hybrid system is not as easy as a press release. I'm sure in time GM (and others) will catch up. I doubt it will be as fast as you think. I hope I'm wrong. We need real "green" competition!

Looking at the american big three GM is the only one that seem to be serious about going after the "green" sector.

06-14-2007, 10:09 AM	#1
priusFTW Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: White Mtns New Hampshire Posts: 344 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/...ws/message/766 Toyota Motor Corp., worried over the safety of lithium-ion battery technology, has decided not to use that technology for the initial versions of its next-generation Prius gasoline-electric hybrid car, whose launch was scheduled for the autumn of 2008, according to individuals familiar with Toyota's product plans. The move, those individuals said, is aimed chiefly at dealing with potential problems with the application in the redesigned Prius of lithium-ion batteries, a new technology that packs more electricity in the same space and weight than the nickel-metal hydride batteries used in nearly all hybrid vehicles sold today. Toyota ... __________________ Mods thus far: Tinted Back and Rear Windows 35%. (guaranteed for life, professionally installed) BT Plate Venuture Shield Clear Bra (guranteed for life, professionally installed) Replaced OEM tires with Nokian WR's 44/42 inflation Replaced Mats with all weather Prius Mats VAIS TECH SLI Install for Ipod Harness Fix Engine Block Heater (done professionally by Wayne aka FireEngineer) Replaced stock speakers with Infinity Kappa 60.7cs front 62.7i rear; installed dynamat all doors My avg MPG = 54 2007 Silver Metallic aka "Silver Bullet" took delivery Dec 29, 2006 "NOBODY'S OFF THE HOOK" - Rufus Wainwright from the album "Release the Stars"

06-14-2007, 11:42 AM	#10
SomervillePrius Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 946 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	Malorn, I hope you are right and GM emerges as the "green" company. I think it's harder to do then to say and so far I have ONLY seen press releases and promises made. So while Toyota might be "dropping balls all over the place" they are at least producing "green" cars. It's easy for GM to not drop the ball as they haven't even picked it up yet. Even if they claim over and over that they will. I think most companies have realized that catching the hybrid system is not as easy as a press release. I'm sure in time GM (and others) will catch up. I doubt it will be as fast as you think. I hope I'm wrong. We need real "green" competition! Looking at the american big three GM is the only one that seem to be serious about going after the "green" sector. __________________ help start a revolution! Demand PLUG IN Hybrids to be built today!

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06-14-2007, 10:14 AM	#2
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 17,228 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 49 Thanked 249 Times in 148 Posts Friends: 37	Above is to a Yahoo! post. Here's link to the WSJ article (preview only unless you subscribe...I don't) http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1181708277...=googlenews_wsj

06-14-2007, 10:15 AM	#3
SomervillePrius Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 946 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	Argh, Don't break my heart! While I had lost hope on plug-in (from the start) in 09 I was hoping to LiIon batteries as they would give some real EV range without too much space taken up. I'm sure NiMh can do reasonable EV range but they will take up more space. It will be interesting to see what they come out with.... Only thing that perked my ears are the prius stationwagon mentioned.... THAT would be a killer car for me

06-14-2007, 10:35 AM	#4
Swanny1172 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 674 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	How dare Toyota put safety before MPG... Come on folks, the lithium-ion battery technology just isn't where it needs to be yet. Give it a few more years and you'll see it start to proliferate.

06-14-2007, 10:38 AM	#5
SomervillePrius Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Somerville, MA Posts: 946 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	Not sure it's so much about safety as durability....

06-14-2007, 10:59 AM	#8
Winston Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: SF Bay Area, California Posts: 578 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Friends: 0	Bummer. Although, they gotta do, what they gotta do.

06-14-2007, 11:36 AM	#9
malorn Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: "Somewhere in Flyover Country" Posts: 3,503 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	Toyota thinks their collective s*it doesn't stink, reminds me of General Motors say 25 years ago. They are dropping balls all over the place, and finally the problems are beginning to pile up because of the arrogance. The opening is now there for GM to go right on by Toyota over the next few years as far as fuel/alternative fuel/emissions technology. It will be very interesting. I wish Ford and Chrysler would get their acts together, I think Cerebrus will help Chrysler a ton.