Toyota delaying plug-in hybrids by up to two years

There is apparently nothing in the pipeline for better battery technology at Toyota. This actually gives other companies a chance to catch up. It could be the chance for GM to get back into the game.

GM is counting on a different type of lithium-ion technology based on iron phosphates, which company spokespeople say, is more chemically stable. GM's plans for rolling out its first plug-in hybrid with lithium-ion batteries, the Saturn VUE Green Line, are currently still on track. The car could hit showrooms by late 2009, roughly the time that Toyota hopes to have its next-generation Prius ready to go.