Energy sources 1 - Storage batteries
This chapter has covered all the battery types at present being seriously considered for use in electric and hybrid vehicles. The dramatic improvements in performance demonstrated through the coordinated work of ALABC on valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries has made the lead-acid battery once again a contender in the battle to become the battery of choice for the electric vehicle. Its role as a low-cost, well-understood, immediately available power source capable of being fast charged when required, must make it a strong candidate for the low-cost electric and hybrid cars likely to attract the public in the short term. Also in the short term nickel-metal hydride seems likely to take over the role of nickel-cadmium as the higher-power, higher-cost option, with its advantages in longer life and safer disposal. The high-temperature batteries offer significant performance improvement if the vehicle manufacturer is prepared to design systems capable of maintaining battery temperature under the wide range of conditions under which a car can be operated. Of the high-temperature batteries available sodium-nickel chloride seems to have advantages in having a slightly lower operating temperature, better freezing characteristics and failure to a short circuit condition, so making chains of cells and batteries practical. In the longer term the metal-air batteries offer considerable improve ments in performance, but the special requirements of replacing the metal electrodes and/or circulating the electrolyte need to be shown to be fully practical in the vehicle situation. The most exciting developments are likely to be in lithium-solid polymer and lithium-ion batteries with their high-energy density, potential for low cost and flexibility of installation, but volume production still seems to be some years away.
Energy sources 1 - Storage batteries, Page 1 of 2
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