P.S.

Large format Ni-Mh batteries of proprietary bi-polar design are developed by Electro Energy Inc. of Danbyru, CT, for vehicular, utility, and aircraft applications. This line of batteries are nearing production at their Gaineswille, Fla production facility:

http://www.electroenergyinc.com/products.html

Their converted to PHEV Toyota Prius with large format Ni-Mh battery was demonstrated on conference in Washington in November 28-30:

http://ir.electroenergyinc.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=220072

I doubt Ni-Mh PHEV will have any market penetration due to limitations of the battery chemistry.

Paul and Wintermane: I liked your comments. I agree in that this is a good thing and can/should be integrated into future vehicle designs from the get-go. I know that the word "hybrid" scares a lot of older generation people as it is regarded new technology, and change is scary. This is a fine way to get some mild fuel savings into a lot of vehicles, and get people used to the technology. Not everyone in the world wants to be cutting edge and buy a Prius. But if they have a car like this that is more efficient than its predecessor, than it makes for a good baby step, to better technology.

Wells, you seem to be neglecting the fact that using the "stop-start psuedo hybrid" allows for the selection of a more fuel efficient gasoline engine while still keeping up with higher power output found in less fuel efficient engines. Because of the larger battery it also allows for only enabling battery charging when the engine is running in it's most efficient rpm/load range which in and of itself is worth 2-5% gains in fuel economy. Solutions to improving fuel economy don't all have to be super complex (but effective), everyone's trying to solve the same problem and each technology has it's own specific applications where it benefits most.

come on GM, you have always been my hero. why are you forcing a toyota on me. there would be nothing more desirable than for me to buy a gm HYBRID product that can deliver what the prius can. you know you can build anything better than japan.......WHY DON'T YOU ???????

come on GM, you have always been my hero. why are you forcing a toyota on me. there would be nothing more desirable than for me to buy a gm HYBRID product that can deliver what the prius can. you know you can build anything better than japan.......WHY DON'T YOU ???????

hey, i absolutely bleed gm blue, and if they feel this is a step in the right direction, so be it !!! it's plain to see it will offer better fuel economy than the previous non hybrid model, and do so in a far less complicated design. we should give it the opportunity, after all this is about as all american as you can get. no i am not bashing japan, they have great technology, but, SO DO WE !!!!!!!!!!