Emmo: "Next, it is important to keep an eye on Delpi's progress in developing LiPoly batteries. There is a huge ground swell for hybrid vehicles. Toyota is selling a hybrid for $16,000 in Japan, a four-seater with an 800 mile range. (Or you can buy a two-seat EV-1 for $32,000 with a 60 mile range.) The battery is the key to this revolution in automobile development. Once Delphi can show it's LiPoly to be a dependable and cost effective replacement for lead-acid and NiCad then you can forget seeing these older batteries on the shelves anymore."
Not disagreeing, just keeping the record straight. The 60 mile range for GM's EV1 is for lead-acid batteries. Using NiMH batteries, the range is more like 150 miles. Also, Toyota is presently losing money on their Prius hybrid. They have stated that they will reach break-even at about 3000 vehicles per month (they are at about 2000/mo now, I think).
*IF* Delphi's LiPoly batteries prove to be dependable and cost effective, then they will be introduced on autos. Presently, NiMH batteries have passed the dependability hurdle (nearly all EV and hybrid manufacturers and would-be manufacturers have settled on NiMH, for now at least). The cost hurdle is still a problem, but projections are that this will be solved to a practical degree with increased production volume.
The "race" between LiPoly and NiMH for vehicles (both for propulsion and SLI)is certainly going to interesting. ENER is now working on a magnesium-based version of a hydride battery that should reach 120 to 150 Wh/kg. This does not seem so competitive to those used to seeing the numbers for LiPoly batteries, but hydride batteries have a reputation for being "unbreakable". |
