Battery Hopes Fall Flat

Researchers are quickly getting disenchanted by the high price of lithium-ion batteries, paired with a growing number of high-profile incidents involving smoke and fire, Reuters says in an in-depth analysis. Some are looking way beyond Lithium-Ion. Some go back to technology that is older than the car: Lead-Acid. Many experts believe it will take at least another decade for lithium-ion technology to be ready for widespread adoption in transportation. Others don't see different chemistry for decades. Companies like Energy Power Systems, a team of former Chevrolet Volt and Toyota Prius engineers, became "disenchanted" with lithium-ion's complexity and cost and are now seeking to improve lead-acid. Companies like Toyota are looking into alternatives to lithium-ion, such as lithium-air, and a much less tempestuous solid state battery. "We don't think that lithium-ion batteries are going to help us get to a point where we can dramatically increase volume and really call it a mass market," Toyota spokesman John Hanson said. One thing is clear: The battery is no microchip with a dramatic shrinkage of size and gains in power, and the miracle battery to end all electric vehicle woes is a mirage. from The Truth About Cars http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com

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