NiMH batteries are not sold here in the USA. At least not from Dewalt. My understanding is NiCd batteries were mostly banned from Europe. NiMH batteries are slightly better for the enviornment. There is talk about possibly banning NiCd batteries from being manufactured here in the US. I personally doubt that will happen anytime soon.
That being said, both Dewalt DCD950 (NiCd DC9096) and the DCD970 ( Li-Ion DC9180) have the same UWO rating of 450. The DC9180 Li-Ion battery sits at 21.6v off the charger. I have noticed a slight increase in power when I go from the DC9096 to the DC9180. I wished I had a machine that measured torque.
