Although united in their stance against government dialog regarding Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards (CAFE), General Motors Corp.(NYSE: GM) and Toyota Motors (NYSE: TM) are squaring off in a head butting match over just exactly how the new vision for hybrid automobiles will take final form. A WSJ.com report (subscription required) briefly examines the differences between the two companies and their visions for target travel range for electric-only vehicles.

Toyota representatives indicate that their tolerance level for electric only travel range is settling into the 10 to 20 mile range while GM executives claim that their target range is closer to 40 miles. The debate seems to be taking place around lithium-ion batteries and the many questions which still remain as to the long term viability of that power source technology. Pointing to the alleged tendency for lithium-ion batteries to overheat, Toyota leadership appears unwilling to state that the technology is fully road ready. GM, for its part, is still investigating its battery options also.

GM executives are a bit perturbed at the apparent lack of media coverage regarding the fact that many of the vehicles which Toyota has leaned upon for its surge ahead of GM in total sales actually have mileage ratings below those of their General Motors counterparts. GM feels that Toyota is simply throwing up a smoke screen to the facts and is muddying the common waters in the pursuit of a viable electric vehicle. GM also seems to believe that Toyota is simply attempting to obscure the facts regarding actual over the road mileage performances of both companies.

We are still a long way from seeing effective electric vehicle deployment but all parties involved are to be commended for their efforts. There are an abundance of options and opportunities to be exploited now in the electric vehicle arena and given the steep increase in crude prices, those opportunities shall only become more lucrative. It is of major importance now that the big players refrain from corporate politics and simply stick to the business at hand.