Yes, and unlike what has been done in the Prius, these were large-format cells. The patents on them ultimately ended up sold to a Chevron subsidiary, which would only license the technology under absurd terms. They assumed that lithium-based battery technologies wouldn't be suitable. Oops.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patent_encumbrance_of_large_au...

Yes, the exact same battery technology Toyota was already using in their Prius, which is still in-use in many Toyota hybrid models still on the road. The battery was not the problem.

Eventually, near the end. The first run of them was lead-acid; the battery was about 60% of the weight of the vehicle.

NiMH batteries suck too