Toyota Delays Lithium-Ion Batteries

The next Prius was supposedly going to have a lithium-ion battery, but reports from Japan say Toyota is unwilling to take that risk. Despite Li-ion battery use in retrofitted plug-in Prius, by other companies, Toyota has decided to be cautious.

Source: Winding Road » Archive » Japan Report: Toyota Postponing Lithium-Ion Prius? via autobloggreen

Compared to the nickel-metal hydride battery pack in the current Prius, lithium-ion would be the neater, more technologically advanced solution, and in Toyotaspeak are “close to the level at which they can be mounted in cars.” But, the paper says, Toyota has put caution before innovation this time round… and being mindful of Toyota’s quality issues and soaring recall rate of late, maybe that’s a sound choice.