look at this video also a nice video from a not prius lover [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpTJi7MK-1s]YouTube - Car Review of New Toyota Prius Hybrid[/ame]
almost as funny as the comedy 'blue Prius' video posted here... but there's still that "zero to 60" mentality...that I just don't understand WHO CARES???!!! Walt Q
"Chervon still owns the rights to NiMh?" why would they want to get rid of a very nice cash cow? I used to go to the Netherlands 5 or 6 times a year for business, have friends in Amsterdam and Delft....I so miss those trips....but the economy lately isn't co-operating Walt Q
So lets see, this guy spent the marjority of the time trashing the Prius, but was constantly back-peddling off of his own critisisms, and in the end had to conclude that the Prius is a pretty "ok" car? Wth? Me thinks that this kid bleached more than his hair......
Actually, several of the patents for NiMH batteries are held by Cobasys, which is a partially owned (50%) subsidiary of Chevron. Panasonic EV and Toyota have to license the use of NiMH from Cobasys. Part of the license agreement limits the size of the batteries available for automotive use (e.g. they cannot produce replacement batteries for the RavEV due to the restrictions)
If you read the patent act, you will find that they can't restrict the size of the battery. Yes, Toyota would have to pay royalties. But if Cobasys can't produce evidence that they plan to produce the item on the patent, AND improve it, they -could- loose the patent. -IF- the US patent office is doing their job. Now my experience with the large Japanese companies is they don't like to license patents. I can't say if this is one reason no movement has occurred. Toyota IS a "big boy" on the playing field. I doubt they are being "picked on" in this issue. They can afford better lawyers than Cobasys. I suspect they are just sitting tight until LiION batteries make the patent superfluous.
No one (outside the companies) knows the exact details of the agreement, but at least a couple of references believe that the license agreement restricts the size of the battery for automotive applications. Also, I have read that Cobasys will only deal with large producers or large orders, effectively shutting out the smaller EV companies. Toyota and Panasonic EV did fight this initially in court, but lost that battle. They had to pay a settlement to Cobasys and agree to a licensing arrangement. Yes, I agree that part of the reason everyone is working hard on LiION is so they will not be forced to pay to license the technology. We could have Plug In hybrids available now based upon NiMH if it weren't for the existence of the Cobasys patents.
I hope (probably somewhat naively) that we don't have the same situation occur with LiIon. Patents shouldn't be used to stifle innovation and progress.
