A better way to power electric cars? a quest for automakers and seemingly elusive wish of consumers. However, Toyota Motor Co., the world's largest seller of hybrid autos is on it. Their most current initiative is developing a magnesium battery that holds twice the energy of lithium-ion cells. And according to the engineer managing the U.S. project, Jeffrey Makarewiez, the work in Ann Arbor complements other future electric-power chemistries at Toyota labs in Japan.

"Going from nickel-metal hydride to lithium ion, you essentially double energy capacity," Makareweiz says. "Lithium ion theoretically, under ideal conditions, has a capacity of about 2,000 kilowatt hours. That's still not enough to really make a very competitive battery that's necessary for future plug-in, electric and hybrid-electric vehicles."¹

In past months Toyota has released rechargeable models with lithium-ion packs that let drivers go extended distances on battery power alone. However, Bob Carter, Vice President, Toyota City indicates that he expects much more modest demand of battery-powered cars in the next few years than does Nissan, due to power-pack limitations.

Makareweiz estimates that vehicles with magnesium batteries or alternatives may be ready in about nine years. He also indicates that Toyota's Torrance, California unit is investigating aluminum and calcium as potential materials for car batteries. And that in Japan, company engineers are researching "lithium air and metal air" batteries.

[SOURCE]¹http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-01-10/toyota-developing-magnesium-battery-as-lithium-alternate.html