May 20, 2013—Toyota Motor Corp. is planning to increase production of lithium ion batteries for use in its Prius gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles, Reuters reports.
The report says Toyota is planning a six-fold increase in the production of lithium-ion batteries, which are lighter and more powerful than the nickel-metal hydride batteries that are currently used.
The report comes from Japanese newspaper Nikkei, which reported that Toyota and battery partner Panasonic will increase the production of lithium-ion batteries to 200,00 units a year.
Reuters said a spokesperson for Toyota declined to comment on whether the next generation of Prius would use the lithium-iron battery.
