tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9844581.post6365889658606960027..comments2007-05-17T11:58:46.874-07:00Dahcredynshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17687525897516386077noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9844581.post-18348831523032923422007-05-17T11:58:00.000-07:002007-05-17T11:58:00.000-07:00<B>Complete Story</B><BR/><BR/>There is an interesting experiment taking place in the workshops of many lithium-ion battery producers: the creation of 100 mpg+ plug-in versions of the <A HREF="http://www.soultek.com/clean_energy/hybrid_cars/hybrid_car_types/toyota_prius_hybrid.htm" REL="nofollow">Toyota Prius</A>.<BR/><BR/>Thus far, both <A HREF="http://www.lithiumtech.com/" REL="nofollow">LTC</A> and <A HREF="http://www.a123systems.com/newsite/index.php" REL="nofollow">A123Systems</A> have each demonstrated working <A HREF="http://www.soultek.com/clean_energy/hybrid_cars/better_than_hybrid_car_plug_in_hybrid_car.html" REL="nofollow">plug-in hybrid vehicles</A> built upon the Prius and each companies lithium battery packs. Both companies have achieved 125 mpg + performance with such plug-in hybrids.<BR/><BR/>Yet, when Toyota begins to sell the <A HREF="http://www.soultek.com/clean_energy/hybrid_cars/third_generation_toyota_prius_in_2008.htm" REL="nofollow">third generation Prius</A>, probably sometime next year, the Prius will not be a plug-in, even though the hybrid will use lithium-ion batteries.<BR/><BR/>"Our battery is still superior," Masatami Takimoto, executive vice president in charge of powertrain development, recently said about Toyota's lithium batteries compared to the competition.<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18615741/page/2/" REL="nofollow">According to Reuters</A>, "Takimoto said Toyota had been approached by both parties as well as many other battery makers, but dismissed their products as "unusable" due to their low energy density.<BR/><BR/>He added that plug-in hybrids, which can be recharged through an electric socket, were still years away from practical application and pure electric vehicles even further out because even with a trunk full of rechargeable batteries, they would have a cruising range of just 60 km (37 miles)."<BR/><BR/>So, is Toyota just being coy? Is Toyota trying to keep expectations down to protect sales of the current Prius? Is plug-in hybrid technology just too expensive for now?<BR/><BR/>Already there have been rumors that the third generation Prius will achieve fuel economy of 80, 90 or even 100 mpg - without plug-in technology. Perhaps, such mileage might make current plug-in hybrid technology ineffective in terms of cost/reward versus a conventional lithium-powered Prius hybrid?<BR/><BR/>Still, I find it hard to believe that the third generation Prius will achieve much more than 70 mpg - still a remarkable feat - without the help of plug-in technology. Of course, I would love to be wrong. Nonetheless, the competition heating up in the hybrid space from automakers, suppliers, and third-party plug-in integrators is getting quite interesting, and one thing seems certain: the hybrid revolution is coming.Dahcredynshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17687525897516386077noreply@blogger.com