A blogging Toyota exec has fired back at a Wall Street Journal story that claimed the automaker has delayed by up to two years a plug-in hybrid Prius that uses lithium ion batteries. "To suggest that any timing has been changed for the introduction of a vehicle for which an introduction schedule hasn’t been finalized and published, using battery technology that we’ve previously said isn’t ready for prime-time, is – well, it’s curious and perplexing," wrote Toyota (TM) corporate communications exec Irv Miller on the company’s Open Road blog on Friday. Still, Miller indicated that you won’t see a lithium ion Prius hitting the road anytime soon. "We have consistently affirmed that there are many issues that need to be resolved, beyond the safety and reliability of lithium-ion batteries, before a commercial lithium-ion-equipped hybrid – and what we’re talking about here is the so-called plug-in hybrid, or PHEV – is ready for the market," he wrote. "These issues include battery cost, availability, performance and packaging. All of the car makers face the same problems when it comes to these issues. The answers, unfortunately, are not just around the corner.
Miller contends that "nobody has fully figured out the optimum use of lithium-ion batteries in automobiles" and thus "promises of longer driving ranges on a single charge appear to be several years away." Not exactly. Tesla Motors is preparing to roll out its lithium ion-powered Roadster later this year and has just named a new CEO to ramp up production. But what may have also incited Miller’s ire was the Journal’s suggestion that any delays will open the door for Ford (F), General Motors (GM) and Honda (HMC) to catch up to the industry’s technology leader.
Green Wombat 
I don’t get the comparison with the Tesla Motors, Roadster. That’s an EV which is not coming out with a mass market product stickerprice. But even more importantly, there’s no motor in the Roadster so it’s not a PHEV hybrid. Someone forgets that a true plug-in hybrid has to be able to carry the driver AND the weight of a gas or deisel engine, along with the fuel tank and all other support systems like a drive train, ignition system, etc.
Had GM said that battery technology wasn’t ready for prime time, somebody would’ve made a movie about it, accusing GM of killing the electric car. Oh wait…
Tesla has much to gain by taking risks (and everything to lose).
Toyota has little to gain by using lithium ion batteries, and a reputation to tarnish if it fails. Why should Toyota take a big risk for a minor segment of the market?
Toyota has to consider training literately thousands of dealership’s head mechanics how to deal with more complex systems, even if it’s for “what if” warranty work.
I assume Tesla could fly out a technician to fix all it’s cars on the odd chance they do have an issue for far less than the money Toyota would spend on training.
All eyes on Tesla! If those guys can really deliver as promised (200+ miles, fast, 1 penny per mile fuel costs, etc.) then they will ROCK the automotive world. It will force the auto heavy weights into action. No more excuses. No more half-measures. It (hopefully) will start a revolution in the auto industry similar to when jet turbine aircraft eclipsed prop passenger planes in that industry. Long due!
I agree that Tesla is looking good and that others have tried and failed before. However, unlike previous attempts at creating green alternative vehicles, there now exists financial backing unlike ever before and a potentially huge financial windfall if these new-breed green car companies can deliver on what they’re promising.
To remind us all that there’s more than just Tesla in the game I put together a list of 10 of the Greenest Vehicles on the market today or seemingly very close to hitting the road in our own back yards:
http://blog.greenesthost.com/?p=13