Hybrid-Electric Cars  -  HEVs  -  Hydrogen  -  All-electric 
                           

Problems With Lithium Batteries

While lithium batteries are the best option for batteries in hybrids now, they aren't without problems.

The problem with lithium batteries is making them big enough so that they can store enough energy to power hybrid cars without having to revert to the gas engine when driving in town. Lithium batteries are very efficient when manufactured to a certain capacity but if this is increased they are subject to a condition called thermal run off. This can cause larger batteries to overheat and in some instances they can actually catch fire!

The main problem is the cobalt, a metal used in the manufacture of lithium batteries. Many manufacturers have been working on a solution to this problem. Subaru, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Toyota--the leading manufacturers of hybrid cars, are all working on solutions to this. The most promising solution seems to be replacing the cobalt with phosphate.  This produces a much safer and more reliable battery. There is some power loss as opposed to using the cobalt, but the batteries should still be a long way ahead of conventional lead-acid batteries used in hybrid cars.

With these advances in battery technology, the hybrid cars of the future seem set to be even more efficient with greater power storage available at a lower cost. And with more reliable and smaller batteries being used, costs both in the way of retail prices and running costs will likely decrease.  The savings in both fuel and emissions that have always been the goal of hybrid cars manufacturers, appears likely to become a reality.

Next page we look at Fuel Cell technology.

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