<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Eric Nothman @ Apr 25 2007, 12:38 AM) [snapback]429558[/snapback]</div>

IMHO, it is about time they are embracing Lithium Ion batteries for possible use in plug-ins. I was beginning to think that the only reason Toyota has so far poo pooed Li-Ion batteries for use in plug-ins is because they don't own the IP on a viable Li-Ion battery for plug-in use.

This is good. I need a second Prius, but will wait for the next generation. Hopefully it will be plug-in with Lithium Ion batteries.

I concur, we will wait. Our next vehicle will be a PHEV with Lithium ion batteries. I look forward to charging off of the grid-tied photovoltaic system and minimizing use of oil-based products.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(skruse @ Apr 26 2007, 12:21 PM) [snapback]430565[/snapback]</div>

This is what the powers to be fear most, and I'm with you all the way. Electric is coming, oil is going. Hopefully this will happen without taking out the economy.

I'm all for the production of hybrid and electric vehicles that make use of lithium ion technology. I think that it has a great future and could lead to the development of an even better battery technology. There is a lot that could come of this step forward, I think. After reading the article, I think it is safe to say that Toyota is dead serious about producing hybrid vehicles utilizing lithium ion batteries.

Personally, I think Toyota should produce a new version of the Supra that's powered by a hybrid powertrain - equip it with Li-Ion batteries, a powerful, turbocharged 4-cylinder, and engineer it to produce the combined equivalent of about 400 bhp and I think we'll see it sell quite well. Especially if the motors are capable of producing large amounts of torque from a dead stop.

(Disregard - they beat me to the punch)

Another possibility for this technology is a hybrid version of the Tacoma. After all, most customers who use a Tacoma (myself included) only use it for hauling stuff from point A to point B - a perfect way to implement hybrid technology is to devise a hybrid Tacoma that could do that. I'm never replacing my Tacoma with a HiHy: they're just ill-suited for that purpose, IMO. Besides, it is very cramped using a Highlander the way one would use a pickup, in my opinion.