Electricnick, The EV Revolution

For mass marketed electric vehicles, EV to happen, there are three crucial key foundation that need to happen.

In order for EVs to become a mass reality, three different components need to come together.  EV battery technology, affordable mass production of both cars and batteries and finally the infrastructure.

EV Battery Technology. Pretty much your battery choice is here is good old acid lead batteries, NiHM and Lithium.  Acid lead are the cheapest but do not hold much energy and are heavy.  Up the scale and you have what Prius and Escapade Hybrids which sports, NiHM.  Lighter, more expensive and more energy efficient than lead acid batteries.  And at the top of the pyramid you will find lithium-ion which are very expensive, have good energy efficiency and very light.  There is also the use of ultracapacitators either as stand alone, as in the ZENN case or in tandem, as in the AFS Trinity prototypes.  Finally, a new crop of improved lead acid batteries are finding their niche on the EV market.

As innovations happen, each battery type gets more or less of an edge.  For instance, lithium-ion batteries make sense for light sports vehicle, but NiHM are a good compromise for sedans, while advanced lead acid offer yet another alternative for sedans and heavier cars.

Chose your battery type carefully and use it well.  Don’t wait till they empty out completely and recharge when you are %70 depleted.

Next, the the infrastructure problem.