Toyota has today (23rd September) urged automakers to manage expectations over the development of technology for battery-powered vehicles, Bloomberg reports.

The Japanese manufacturer is the world's biggest seller of hybrids and has already announced plans to deliver its Prius plug-in with lithium batteries to the US this year.

However, Michael O'Brien, the company's US Corporate Manager for Advanced Technology Vehicle Planning, has warned that carmakers must be realistic about the vehicles.

"If consumers are disappointed, market adoption is not guaranteed and that can permanently harm the technology's image and future market potential," he told the news provider.

"Consumers will not widely adopt a new technology product unless it is better in every way than what is available. Anecdotal evidence of robust markets is not a substitute for true market acceptance."

Mr O'Brien added that companies must place a particular emphasis on providing consumers with accurate data on the vehicles' driving ranges and recharging times.

Meanwhile, Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche has explained that cars operated by hydrogen fuel cell technology are still formidable rivals for their battery-powered counterparts.

"The chances further down the road seem to [be] better on the fuel-cell side than on the battery-electric side," he said at the recent Frankfurt Motor Show.

Earlier this month, the German government joined forces with Daimler and a host of energy companies for plans to build 1,000 hydrogen filling stations in the country by 2015.

Sources:

Toyota Says Battery-Vehicle Hype May Hurt Technology, Sales (23/09/09)

Hydrogen Cars Are Still Headed for the Highway (22/09/09)

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