Toyota plans 3 battery plants for hybrid vehicles
Nissan isn't the only Japanese auto manufacturer with big plans for batteries. Toyota will open two new battery plants in Japan and expand a third for the production of nickel metal hydride and lithium ion batteries. All of Toyota's current hybrid vehicles use the older nickel-based battery chemistry. The lithium ion batteries produced at the new plant will likely be scheduled for next-gen hybrids like the upcoming Lexus version of the third-generation Prius sedan. The total investment from Toyota will be ¥20 billion, or $192.3 million. These new plants are expected to support Toyota's ambitious goal to sell a million hybrid vehicles per year within the next decade. Currently, the Japanese giant is the global leader in hybrid sales, selling 429,000 of the gasoline/electric vehicles in 2007. The three plants will have the capacity to produce a million packs by the year 2011, which lines up quite nicely with Toyota's plans. Thanks to Joseph for the tip.
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chris H. 10:04PM (5/24/2008)
Hey Jeremy,
any word on the specific lithium chemistry that Toyota will use for its batteries?
-Chris H.
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philmcneal 2:50AM (5/25/2008)
lol 190 million is nothing when you consider what the US spends on the war on a daily basis!!!
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jeremie 3:08PM (5/25/2008)
Toyota seem to be the one with the plan..
They make the batteries and the cars.
To bad, they don't have a more aggressive plan for EVs
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Kevin Nugent 8:08PM (5/26/2008)
Well that is only expected especially with the redesign of the their third generation pruis. It looks much better , gets better performance while maintaining impressive fuel economy , That is a volatile mixture in my opinion that will sell them faster than they can produce them. I can't wait. ! :)
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Tim 12:59PM (5/27/2008)
Does anyone know if the new batteries can be retrofitted (is that a word?) into older models?
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