One common complaint about batteries currently used in hybrid electric vehicles is that they're only powerful enough for small, light vehicles.  As early as 2010, Honda hopes to confront that issue head-on with new & advanced lithium-ion batteries.

According to John German, American Honda's manager of environmental and energy analysis, in an interview with Green Car Advisor, the new batteries won't be more powerful but rather they'll charge more quickly.  What this means is that more power is made available for use by the engine, opening the door for use in heftier vehicles.

As if this isn't enough progress for you, there's more: this new battery will apparently cost less, too.

I can see application in larger cars, maybe even small trucks and SUVs.  Will this help reduce oil usage, though, or will it enable a lifestyle that's largely unsustainable?  Personally, I see that Americans still hold SUVs and trucks close to their hearts; change in this area looks difficult, but not impossible, considering American gasoline prices.

For all the details (from Green Car Advisor), please read:

http://blogs.edmunds.com/greencaradvisor/2008/08/honda-awaiting-new-super-lithium-ion-battery-for-next-generation-hybrids.html