Steve Funk

Lithium-Ion Batteries and Centerfolds: The Final Chapter

Great article. As an engineer who has worked with battery storage I can tell you that engineers have talked about this very issue for years. Engineeers just aren't very good at predicting when. The fact is batteries in mobile gear are expensive and it doesn't look like they will come down fast without completely new technology. The problem is one of chemistry facts that are too easily overlooked by our Senators. Electric cars were tried 100 years ago, again by GM in the 1990's, and all were abandoned for engineering/ marketing reasons that have not changed and won't change with even 10-20% improvements in current technology. BTW, don't overlook pumped water storage where water is plentiful. Detroit Edison has been doing that on the shores of Lake Michigan for 20+ years.