Honda Moving to Lithium-Ion Batteries in the Next Few Years

Honda says they will be moving to lithium-ion battery packs in the next two to three years, as they fight to compete with Toyota hybrids. Source: Honda Plans Lithium-Ion Civic to Narrow Toyota’s Lead (Update1) - Bloomberg.com

Honda will be supplied with battery packs by their joint venture with GS Yasa Corp (which is 49 percent owned by Honda).

This is very interesting for those who follow hybrids and have been looking for lithium batteries for a while now. There have been several instances where Honda and Toyota have looked at lithium-ion battery packs for their hybrid cars, but have chosen not to go that route. The cost and safety just haven't been there.

But now car makers are hoping the promised cost reductions will start happening as more and more jump on board. Other car companies are just about to start offering cars with lithium-ion battery packs, and analysts are predicting a glut will occur very quickly, which will force prices down.