June 13, 2008 - Toyota has announced a slew of initiatives that it hopes will keep the company at the forefront of low-carbon automobile technology.

While reiterating its commitment to hybrid technology, the company also announced plans to develop other fuel-efficient technologies. These include downsized "packaging" to accommodate four passengers in a smaller vehicle body, a next-generation lithium-ion battery for electric vehicles, and advanced hydrogen fuel cells.

Toyota has launched Panasonic EV Energy Co., a joint venture with Panasonic, to develop batteries for use in electric vehicles. Toyota says it hopes to start limited production of lithium-ion batteries in 2009, moving into full-scale production in 2010. (Both Nissan and Volkswagen have also pledged to roll out electric vehicles by 2010.)

Last week, Toyota unveiled a fuel-cell hybrid car that can drive twice as far per tank as its predecessor.

Officials for Toyota are riding the momentum of recent news that its global cumulative sales of its best-selling Prius hybrid reached 1.5 million in June 2008. Earlier this month, Toyota was rated on of the world's greenest brands in an annual consumer survey.