Better Batteries Too? | Green Energy News

March 9, 2003 – Vol.7 No.50

BETTER BATTERIES TOO?

While SVE (above) makes no mention of the range that might be possible with their electric vehicle design, others working on embracing new battery technology are more bold in their predictions of distance traveled between recharges.

ZAP, which is never shy in its statements, has revealed new lithium-ion battery technology that could quadruple the typical range of battery electric vehicles. ZAP (Zero Air Pollution) mentions the possibility of increasing typical EV range from 60 miles to 240 with the new battery technology. Not bad, and approaching the 300 -350 or so mile-per-charge benchmark that automobile experts say would be needed to lure people away from their fossil fueled cars.

ZAP states that the battery technology in terms of energy density has a 4 to 1 advantage over typical lead-acid batteries. Energy density can be measured in terms of available stored energy relative to the battery’s weight. (Energy density can also be measured in terms of energy relative to its size, or volume.)

If an EV battery is very light, but still has ample output as ZAP suggests, the vehicle can go farther because it requires less energy to move the weight, the mass, of the battery. Make the vehicle lighter with a lighter battery and it will go farther. It’s just physics. Visit ZAP at http://www.zapworld.com/ .