Capitol Toyota

Toyota and Microsoft are partnering to create an in-car electronics system designed to aid the efficiency of the Japanese automaker's battery-powered vehicles. In accordance with the agreement, both market leviathans will invest one-million yen ($11.7 billion) into a Toyota subsidiary that will provide data services for drivers.

Toyota and Microsoft indicate the forthcoming system will incorporate a suite of telematics services, including: data, navigation, in-car entertainment, and multimedia. Powered by Window's Azure

The Prius may be Toyota's poster child. However, the company is invested in more than just electric/gas hybrids. You might remember back in 2008 when the Japanese automaker promised to display a CNG-electric hybrid Camry at the Los Angeles Auto Show. "With this concept, we are confirming our interest in pursuing CNG [natural gas],"¹ said Irv Miller, Vice President, Toyota Motor Sales' U.S. division.

Since 2008, we haven't really heard

The roll-out of the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf electric cars in recent months has ignited a debate over this new technology.

Skeptics are posing questions about possible ghosts in the machine, wondering how long the batteries will perform at top level, worried about the length of the battery life, and want to know what it will cost to replace a battery if required.

If those questions sound familiar, it's because skeptics were asking?