Toyota denies battery woes delay next Prius

Report warned deployment of lithium-ion cells could take two years

TOYOTA, Japan – Introduction of the next version of Toyota’s hit Prius gas-electric hybrid won’t hinge on the development of a more efficient battery called lithium-ion, a senior Toyota executive said Friday.

The executive brushed off a recent Wall Street Journal report that said Toyota Motor Corp. was delaying the launch of the next-generation Prius by as much as two years because of problems in developing the lithium-ion battery. Hybrids on sale now use nickel-metal-hydride batteries.


The Toyota official, who requested anonymity because he is not authorized to speak on the matter, said various innovations for the next Prius are being considered