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Li-ion Battery Technologies: Understanding Their Development Path

At a little lower tech level than this discussion is at, there is a nice cost analyses of battery storage performance over lifetime in the recent issue of Sail Magazine. The jist is that a Li based battery costing initially many multiples of the best Lead based alternative actually nearly breaks even. The charge discharge cycle pattern on a yacht is more similar to an HEV than a PHEV but still the results are surprising.

Why Advanced Lead-Acid Batteries Will Dominate HEV Markets

Sorry John, I was addressing you, not Jack.

Why Advanced Lead-Acid Batteries Will Dominate HEV Markets

Jack, thank you for the continuing flow of information. I think the market for PHEV and PEVs is smaller than the world perceives. Maybe could be summed up as "it's a great idea for everyone else to save gas and reduce emissions but I need the randge and flexibility of a full HEV."

For a typical 15,000 mile/yr driver using $2.50/gal gas getting 40 mpg with readily available technology and using 5% cost of money, each 5 mpg improvement has to cost less than $2300 and that's with no additional fuel costs like $0.11/kWhr elec. charging. So the jump from a 40 mpg Corolla at $16,000 to a $21,000 Prius getting 50 mpg is really break even.

I see the suburban garage of the near future having an HEV Prius with hitch, small 300 lbs utility (1500 lbs capacity) trailer for weekend runs to the home improvement center, and a PEV scooter for in town commuting. Kind of a 1.5 vehicle household with the partial flexibility of an SUV.

The Obama Fast Track for Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs)

John, your last comment suggesting plugs only belong on pure EV hints at another round of charts being necessary. If you're up for the challenge it would be a great follow-up to this article. Basically HEV are great because stopping is a part of driving and the cost to capture that energy is economical. Your charts say it all. One of the most important parts of an EV is weight reduction. The weight of an ICE to extend range of EV conflicts with its main design constraint. For the limited market that needs a 30 - 50 mile/day commuter an EV is an exciting option. For the bulk of consumers, micro and full HEVs are the answer. Consumers also need to get familiar with light utility trailers for the occasional big load from Home Depot. It's a wonderfull way to extend utility of small vehicles.