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Automotive News has some information on the two battery choices that Toyota will offer on the Prius (though not in North America, if I've heard correctly):
http://www.autonews.com/article/20151123/OEM06/311239986
Toyota Motor Corp. is rolling out its next-generation Prius hybrid with a choice of newer-generation lithium ion or more traditional nickel-metal hydride batteries.
The power packs cost the same to make, deliver basically the same performance and provide almost the same fuel economy. So why bother?
It's because the lithium batteries are 35 pounds lighter, and will be installed in upper-trim cars. That will enable Toyota to pack an additional 35 pounds of goodies into higher-end models and achieve the same performance, says Kouji Toyoshima, chief engineer of the Prius.
"In higher grades, the mass is increased so it's harder to get good fuel economy. So in those we will use lithium ion batteries," Toyoshima said at a Nov. 13 test drive here.
http://www.autonews.com/article/20151123/OEM06/311239986