Powerful enough to drive a vehicle at a moment's notice, the hybrid system's batteries must also regain charge quickly for smooth operation. Toyota engineers have been working on getting energy into—and out of—vehicular batteries for nearly 30 years, since Toyota began its electric vehicle research. This research paid off in the Prius’ first battery system. For North America, refined production techniques have eliminated the need for a holding carriage, while improving power output. The new battery pack delivers the charge of 40 old modules with only 38 new modules, and consumes 40% less space with 20% less mass.
Making the Most of Motive Force
Battery Technology