Business week indicates that Toyota’s CEO has said the next Prius will use Lithium Ion Batteries
Toyota’s US president said they were working on Plug in Hybrids back in mid 2006.
The Li-ion batteries would reduce the cost of converting the 3rd gen prius to plugin to $2900-5400 and make it more conversion friendly.
My guess is to look for PH Prius from Toyota in 2010-2011 with a $1500-2000 price premium over the standard hybrid.

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