Power Research Institute, and the big three American automakers (Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors). Despite $262 million in funding over a five-year period, the USABC has yet to develop acceptable battery technology for electric vehicles.
The ideal battery would be lightweight with the ability to release energy quickly. A battery's range is affected by its specific energy and its energy density (5:18). Specific energy is the battery's energy per pound, typically expressed in watt hours per kilogram. Energy density is the ratio of energy capacity to volume, expressed in watt hours per liter. Research scientists have been unable to develop batteries with characteristics of both high specific power and energy density needed for quick acceleration and top speeds. Sodium sulfur batteries are lightweight but will not work unless kept hot. This necessitates an energy-draining heater and insulation. Lead-acid batteries deliver quick acceleration and top speed but require frequent recharging. Nickel-cadmium batteries are lightweight but must be completely run down before recharging. Also, the presence of cadmium makes toxicity a factor. Nickel-iron, another lightweight alternative, produces hydrogen during recharging. High-powered metal air batteries perform poorly at low temperatures. Ambient temperature lithium batteries hold the most promise from both technical and cost standpoints, but experts do not expect their development as a viable power source before the year 2010. Conventional automobiles use standard lead-acid batteries, but these batteries are so heavy that they restrict the range of electric vehicles.
Limited range is one of the most serious drawbacks of electric vehicles. Typically, pure electric vehicles are restricted to 100 miles before requiring battery recharge. Air conditioning and other energy-draining accessories such as passenger-compartment heaters can reduce this range by 10 percent to 25 p...