Batteries in the balance - waiting on the next thing

September 3, 2007 by Rob.

After driving a “lead sled” with flooded Pb-Acid batteries, I can tell you that the batteries are a huge limitation on EV adoption. Care and feeding of the Pb cells impacts how I drive because I don’t want to damage the cells by pulling them under 80% DOD. Also, the lead weight (>33% of my total curb weight) dramatically limits my acceleration and range.

These factors require a much higher level of attention while driving the RAVolt than any traditional ICE. I’m fine with the Pb limitation because other options were not economical (Li$ is 10 times Pb$), but it means that affordable EV technologies are not ready for main stream drivers.

Want to see how this problem is getting solved? Here is a good article about A123: one of the leading makers of next generation Lithium batteries.

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