Toyota Going To Lithium Ion Batteries

[markatty]

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/conte...10/b4024075.htm

[RX400h]

Then there's the safety issue. Last year, Sony (SNE ) took a $430 million charge after li-ion powered laptops caught fire (see BusinessWeek.com, 9/20/06, "Battery Woes Spark Few Concerns Among Auto Makers"). In cars, where the risks are greater, avoiding fires is even more important. "We're making sure that the problem can be avoided." says Watanabe. "These difficulties must be reflected in the design.

Yes, indeed!

[Gryphon]

Sounds like a good way to quiet down back-seat drivers. :chairshot:

Tom

[jerryray]

The future with battery technology will always be improving. NMH batteries will be improved to give more current per cell, perhaps we may see a module for our current cars that will last longer.

The problem is the charging circuit we currently have is very complicated and perhaps a little computer tweak may help for higher capacity nmh batteries.

As far a a future lithium-ion batteries, the charging system will be much different that what we have.

The lithium-ion batteries will last twice as long and be 1/2 the weight or more.