Automotive Blog

Currently hybrid auto technology relies on nickel-metal hydride rechargeable batteries. Vehicles like the Lexus LS600hl, the BMW 1-Series, the Mazda Tribute, and the venerable Toyota Prius are all powered by this type of battery. That may soon change however, with Nissan announcing its plans to move to lithium-ion batteries within eighteen months.

Lithium-ion batteries carry the advantage of higher power capacity in a smaller package, a combination that will allow auto makers to implement lighter hybrid power sources thus overcoming some of the space concerns that have plagued earlier models. The disadvantages of the lithium-ion technology all focus on safety, with the batteries more prone to fires and explosions. In general, lithium-ion batteries are also considered to be less durable than their nickel-based cousins.

Nissan, however, working in connection with NEC, seems confident that they can meet safety standards with the lighter batteries and say they will bring a lithium-ion vehicle into production by 2009. Certainly if automakers can achieve smaller, more efficient power sources in hybrids and bring the vehicles’ size and feature packages in line with their gasoline-powered counterparts, hybrids will have greater appeal to the average driver.

Traditionally Americans have been schooled to think in terms of better gas mileage when looking at energy efficient cars, but now the concerns are larger — reducing emissions and lessening America’s politically dangerous addiction to fossil fuels. Retraining consumers to link those concerns to the car they drive has proven challenging to the automotive industry. But one thing is for certain. Americans are equally addicted to their personal means of transport. The sexier the hybrids, the more likely car conscious Americans are to buy them. If safety concerns can be overcome, lithium-ion technology could play a key role in that vital re-education.

Posted on April 13th, 2007 by Shorty
Filed under: technology |

del.icio.us Digg Reddit Google Netscape StumbleUpon