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After Extensive, Secretive Testing, Toyota Chooses NiMH Over Li-Ion

 
11 4,315 views September 14, 2009

2010 Toyota Prius high-voltage battery pack

2010 Toyota Prius high-voltage battery pack

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Behind our backs, Toyota has conducted studies on the Prius hybrid.  Three years ago, they stuffed lithium-ion packs in the Prius and put these vehicles through the rigors.  Tests likely included durability evaluation, costs, maintenance issues, and so on.  The results of the testing are in, and Toyota has decided in favor of keeping NiMH batteries rather than switching to the more advanced li-ion technology in upcoming hybrid models. 

According to Jana Hartline, a spokesperson for Toyota, the testing of lithium-ion battery packs in Priuses concluded last month.  The secretive study included 126 converted Priuses on the roads in Japan, Europe, and the U.S. The company has been conducting secretive testing over the last three years.  Additional details about the program including why Toyota choose to stay with NiMH batteries have not been disclosed at this time.

Though Toyota, along with many other automakers have introduced several vehicles with lithium-ion battery packs, a senior engineer at the company does not see lithium-ion's advantages outweighing the extra cost.  Kazuo Tojima, senior staff engineer for batteries at Toyota said, "While Toyota’s lithium batteries performed well and yielded “small” fuel-economygains due to lighter weight, nickel will remain the material of choice for conventional, mass-market hybrids as lithium’s benefits didn’t justify the higher cost."  Tojima went on to confirm that their testing did show lithium-ion batteries to be durable, stable, and safe.

Toyota's testing was extensive.  According to the president of Advanced Automotive Batteries, a consulting firm, "The tests appear to be among the most thorough done by companies planning to introduce batteries."  He went on to state, "We now know that a lithium-ion battery can work; that's not really the question.  Cost is critical, and we still don't know enough about long-term durability."

The Toyota testing is surely but one example of many ongoing tests of lithium-ion battery packs.  Several automakers have chosen li-ion as their only choice for advanced vehicles yet the technology remains costly and unproven.  As prices drop and long term durability is confirmed, it is assumed that most companies will switch from NiMH to Li-Ion, but for now Toyota is content with their existing technology.

Source:  Bloomberg





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Comments (11)

  1. By Jason M. Hendler Posted: 9/14/2009 7:43am PDT

    I would not expect Toyota to change horses until the economics made sense. Unfortunately, they will not have the experience required to take advantage of Li Ion when it does make economic sense.
     
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  2. By Alec Posted: 9/14/2009 8:46am PDT

    Or maybe Toyota knows that EEstor is real and will storm the battery market, So why nvest in heavy research when better will become shortly available..
     
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  3. By  Eric E Posted: 9/14/2009 9:02am PDT

    Since the NiMH technology for batteries over 3kwh is owned by Exxon, Toyota will be keeping their batteries quite small when compared with everyone else. There cannot be an EV that uses NiMH.
     
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  4. By Baghead Tom Posted: 9/14/2009 4:12pm PDT

    Or maybe Toyota knows EEStor is full of crap, that's why staying with NIMH.
     
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  5. By Curt Posted: 9/14/2009 11:00pm PDT

    Baghead - what does their choice of battery technology have to do with Eestor? Eestor's technology would replace both and it doesn't matter much anyway as Zenn has exclusive rights to small cars.
     
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  6. By Alec Posted: 9/14/2009 11:34pm PDT

    Curt is correct , EEstor will replace all current batteries , if it's real , but this could justify halting research into Li-Ion and staying with Ni-Mh because it's cheaper , better understood and more reliable for the time being.
     
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  7. By Shemp Howard Posted: 9/15/2009 12:58am PDT

    #5, #8
    Moe, Larry, Curly Ultracapacitor Inc. will replace EESTor with their Ultracapacitor 20x energy density of EEStor. I have seen the data.
     
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  8. By Fred Flinstone Posted: 9/16/2009 10:09am PDT

    If wishes were fishes we'd all have a fry. If bullshit were biscuits, we'd eat till we die
     
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  9. By hsr0601 Posted: 9/17/2009 9:13am PDT

    1. As with Nissan Leaf, Durability is achieved by employing an additional frame for the battery pack to significantly improve the Ravidity of the platform.
    2. As regards cost, lithium-ion packs go well with pure EVs. Sold separately, EVs can hold the cost down competitively.
    3. The current fuel price went even beyond the level of excellent hybrid cars and modern diesels and they failed to overcome this great recession.
    4. In this economy, fuel price is hovering around $60 to $75 a barrel, which highlights the actual value might be much the same as the peak price last year, and it will continue to spiral up unquestionably.
     
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  10. By Chris Posted: 9/18/2009 12:35pm PDT

    Howard Shemp, do you have a web address for the Ultracapacitor Inc.??
     
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  11. By Chris Posted: 9/18/2009 12:37pm PDT

    Shemp Howard, do you have a web address or other contact info for the Ultracapacitor Inc.?
     
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