Better Batteries for Hybrids May Be Coming
Increasingly, oil presents a number of challenges to the United States. Oil is nonrenewable. Oil is getting more expensive and harder to find. The United States is heavily dependent on foreign oil. Oil puts too much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and appears to be leading to Global Warming. Another issue that needs to get more attention is simply that many fossil fuels products are making the earth more toxic. Anything that can reduce our oil consumption is going to have benefits.
Electric cars would seem to be a good way to reduce oil consumption but there are a number of reasons why electric cars have not taken off. For one thing, the infrastructure for supporting electric cars is not extensive. That's one reason why hybrids may be a bridge to electric cars. But the technology needs to continue to improve. Here's a story from the Technology Review about new powerful, light-weight batteries that may be a step in the right direction:
One thing to keep in mind about new technology is that the corporations that provide the new technology are too often just interested in making a profit. Corporations are not designed to change a culture. Americans need to start thinking about these things. We need major investment in new technologies. But we also need a broad discussion concerning where we go from here. As just one example, we have built a culture based too much on planned obsolescence. Decreasing our oil usage will also mean building things that last longer. It's not enough to build things more cheaply. If we can pay an extra 10% to build something that last twice as long, that is a savings in energy and eventually oil. Building batteries that last much longer would be a step in that direction.
Electric cars would seem to be a good way to reduce oil consumption but there are a number of reasons why electric cars have not taken off. For one thing, the infrastructure for supporting electric cars is not extensive. That's one reason why hybrids may be a bridge to electric cars. But the technology needs to continue to improve. Here's a story from the Technology Review about new powerful, light-weight batteries that may be a step in the right direction:
Last fall, Watertown, MA-based startup A123 Systems announced that its advanced lithium-ion batteries would make rechargeable circular saws and drills more powerful than plug-in tools (see "More Powerful Batteries"). The company, having delivered on its promise (the tools will be available at The Home Depot this weekend), has now built a battery pack that Ric Fulop, one of the company's founders and its vice president of marketing and business development, says could make hybrid vehicles cheaper and more convenient, while maintaining or improving performance.
The new hybrid battery pack was unveiled this week at the Advanced Automotive Battery and Ultracapacitor Conference in Baltimore. It could be appearing in vehicles within three years, Fulop says. The pack weighs about as much as a small laptop computer, yet fits into a case smaller than a carton of cigarettes. Ten of them would replace the 45-kilogram battery in the Prius, Fulop says; and if one failed, the consumer could continue to drive the car using the remaining batteries, then replace the faulty one as easily as changing the battery on a rechargeable tool.
One thing to keep in mind about new technology is that the corporations that provide the new technology are too often just interested in making a profit. Corporations are not designed to change a culture. Americans need to start thinking about these things. We need major investment in new technologies. But we also need a broad discussion concerning where we go from here. As just one example, we have built a culture based too much on planned obsolescence. Decreasing our oil usage will also mean building things that last longer. It's not enough to build things more cheaply. If we can pay an extra 10% to build something that last twice as long, that is a savings in energy and eventually oil. Building batteries that last much longer would be a step in that direction.
posted by Poechewe at 1:34 PM
2 Comments:
When you write that electric cars have not taken off because of limited infrastructure, I assume that you mean due to their limited range.
The infrastructure for electric cars or plug-in hybrids or future fuel cell hybrids is a wall socket.
On the other hand, it would be true to state that wall sockets anywhere you go for free re-charges are lacking, but wall sockets are ubiquitous / extensive.
When I bought a used electric car then replaced the batteries, it was done by the service center down the street, the same way a single starting battery would be replaced. Moderns cars have computers on board, electric motors (starters), wiper blades, tires, etc, no difference than with electric vehicles.
Admittedly, when an upgrade under warranty was necessary, the independent service person came from 50 miles away. There is a limited dealer network since there are so few electric cars.
But, if you are using the term "infrastructure" to mean availability of fuel, at the equivalent of 70-75 cents per gallon, then I would have to disagree with your contention.
JC Winnie, I wish you had written more about your electric car. I, like a lot of others, want them to work.
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