I've seen this before, and it was posted again elsewhere in a different context bit in reading it I found something I hadn't noticed before. http://www.sae.org/automag/globalvehicles/.../1-111-12-8.pdf On page 3 it says: Toyota’s latest nickel/metal hydride storage battery, as employed in the new Prius, forthcoming Lexus RX/Toyota Highlander hybrid vehicles, and FCHV, must be one of the most advanced of its kind. The rectangular cassette-type cell is compact and space-efficient, and possesses high energy density. In its three generations of development and refinement, it has proven reliable and durable. Toyota has built a dedicated battery rebuild facility that is sitting idle, according to a senior engineering executive. Another indicator of how reliable and long lasting the batteries are.
I heard the batteries were made by Panasonic. And they were having trouble keeping up with the demand for them by Toyota.
