Toyota has run into some problems with their Lithium Cobalt Oxide batteries and it is going to cost them a lot. They are losing all the Hybrid market becuase of the improperly funded research section.GM, on the other hand, has announced partnerships with two leading battery companies that are creating two different sorts of batteries and hence are on the safer side. It also ooks like they’re not going to need more than the first basket as A123Systems batteries are doing extremely well in safety and durability testing. GM will likely have it’s plug-in Saturn VUE ready by late 2009 with the Chevy Volt following not long after that. The much-touted next-gen Prius is going to be a bit late to the game. The question now arises, will consumers notice the shift and opt for GM, or will the branding and design of the Prius prevail, and hold it’s title despite being a year or two late to the plug-in party.
Eco geek