Toyota Motor Corp. is delaying release of new models of hybrid cars because of safety concerns with new lithium-ion battery technology, according to a media report Wednesday.


Toyota's ™ release of a new Prius using lithium-ion batteries, originally scheduled for late 2008, has been pushed back to early 2009, and the car will now include a traditional nickel-metal-hydride battery, The Wall Street Journal reported in its online edition, citing unnamed people familiar with the company.


The first Toyota hybrids with lithium-ion batteries are now not expected to be released in the U.S. until 2011, the report said.


Toyota hybrid cars currently use nickel-metal-hydride battery technology, the Journal said.


Toyota had been counting on the new lithium-ion technology to make its hybrid cars, already known for high gas mileage, even more fuel-efficient.