Coming on the heels of news about the commercial success of the Prius is an announcement that Toyota plans to expand its battery manufacturing, opening up a $192 million plant in Japan to produce the nickel-metal hydride batteries used in these popular gas-electric hybrid cars.

With Toyota’s plans to increase sales of its hybrids to 1 million cars a year, more batteries are a must. Yet, it is saddening to see Toyota pumping funds into their Prius tank, rather than developing new, more eco-friendly technology. A sister plant for lithium-ion batteries for future cars is rumored to be in the works, and Toyota does have plans to move on to a more ecological plug-in version, however, it is clear that Toyota wants to keep flying high on the success of these semi-eco cars. For now, you’ll have dole out even more dough for your own heightened fuel economy.

We know many drivers enjoy the Prius because it offers the slightly less guilt-inducing option of gas-saving tech, but, like smoking filtered cigarettes to stave off blackened lungs, better mileage and fewer on-the-road emissions seems to be about all the car really has to offer above and beyond other new cars, for now at least. With skyrocketing gas prices, perhaps these hybrids will make more sense, especially for big-city commuters, but with new models starting at over $22,000, it’s not a car Joe or Jane Schmoe can waltz down to the dealership to buy.

Nonetheless, every nickel-metal hydride cloud has a bright lining, and for strapped and asthmatic Americans, it’s a paradigm shift towards economical and environmental responsibility in our daily driving choices. The Prius is one of the forces propelling us toward this shift, and if it means more gas-electric hybrids as we wait for better technology, perhaps that is better than no hybrids at all.

Via WIRED

Comments (5)

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written by Paul , May 30, 2008

any news on how eco-friendly the plant will be?

don't let the perfect be the enemy of th
written by Alex , May 30, 2008

So there are a million Priuses on the roads now... that's still a pretty small number all told, and $192 million is a modest investment for a giant car company. But if it helps Toyota make boatloads of money off the Prius (which is still arguably the most eco-friendly mass market car you can buy today) it will give them the money and incentive to make even better cars.

I wish I could really call the Prius a "semi-eco" car, but today that only makes sense compared to a carectomy, not compared to other cars.

why
written by Mark Kiernan , June 05, 2008

Why is the Prius so expensive in Europe it is about 28,000 euros compared to the US. Why can't Toyoto make an Ygo or Yaris hybrid

The Chevy Volt will give the Prius a run
written by ed , June 06, 2008

GM is going to begin full scale production of the Chevy Volt which will get 150 mpg. I am for the most part a Toyota and Honda car enthusiast but I must concede that the the Chevy Volt is going to be the best hybrid on the market when it comes out in 2010.

Lemmings...
written by EH Stravinsku , June 25, 2008

Anthropogenic Global Warming = propaganda fed to weak minds deluded by "white guilt", and perpetuated by those seeking political control of the world on multiple levels. Period.

Lenin had it pegged - "Useful Idiots"

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