[Graeme]

An Electrifying Startup

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'W')hat powers the "Killacycle" is a novel lithium-ion battery developed by A123 Systems, a startup in Watertown, MA--one of a handful of companies working on similar technology. The company's batteries store more than twice as much energy as nickel-metal hydride batteries, the type used in today's hybrid cars, while delivering the bursts of power necessary for high performance.

A123's batteries could finally make lithium-ion technology practical for the auto industry. Instead of cobalt oxide, they use an electrode material made from nanoparticles of lithium iron phosphate modified with trace metals. The resulting batteries are unlikely to catch fire, even if crushed in an accident. They are also much hardier than conventional lithium-ion batteries: A123 predicts that they will last longer than the typical lifetime of a car.

The A123 batteries for GM's Volt store enough energy for 40 miles of driving, enough to cover daily commutes. (On longer trips, the small gasoline engine would kick in to recharge the battery, extending the range to more than 400 miles.) GM plans to sell the vehicles for around $30,000 to $35,000; the company thinks it can sell hundreds of thousands at that price in the first several years, and J. D. Power and Associates estimates that GM will sell nearly 300,000 by 2014.

[perdition79]

I use those batteries already! Nano-Lithium Iron Phosphide batteries are a good way to speed up an electric bicycle. The DeWalt 36 volt batteries used in commercial power tools weigh about 2 lbs. apiece, and when used in my 72-volt setup, get my electric mountain bike cruising at 31 mph for about 7 miles (as long as I pedal from 0 to 20 mph). Those batteries are very durable, can handle a continuous 30A drain, and only take 1-2 hours to charge (2.1Ah).

[Hagakure_Leofman]

Does this mean I can keep my car culture?

Yip hip hurray!!

[mos6507]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Hagakure_Leofman', 'D')oes this mean I can keep my car culture?

Yip hip hurray!!

[bodigami]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('mos6507', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Hagakure_Leofman', 'D')oes this mean I can keep my car culture?

Yip hip hurray!!

[EnergyUnlimited]

If oil is used only for transport, PO could well prove to a a non event.

It is quite funny to observe attitudes alike:
Transport solved = PO solved

And no, we are not solving even transport issues right now.
It is utter nonsense to suggest that we start delivering EV in 2012 and 10 years later everything is OK.

By 2012 our current economy will go bankrupt.

[Hagakure_Leofman]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('EnergyUnlimited', 'B')y 2012 our current economy will go bankrupt.

[mos6507]

If we tackle a big enough chunk of transport, the fuel saved can be diverted to other critical areas of oil consumption to prevent, um, DIE OFF? In other words, perfect is the enemy of the good. Do I think we have enough time? Not really. But better late than never.

[hironegro]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Hagakure_Leofman', 'D')oes this mean I can keep my car culture?

Yip hip hurray!!

[TheDude]

We need a scooter thread here. People have to stop burning hydrocarbons toting around empty trunk space.

300,000 Volts by 2014? If we start declining this year by that time it'll come with a guy to guard it for you.

[EnergyUnlimited]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Hagakure_Leofman', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('EnergyUnlimited', 'B')y 2012 our current economy will go bankrupt.

[EnergyUnlimited]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('TheDude', 'W')e need a scooter thread here. People have to stop burning hydrocarbons toting around empty trunk space.

300,000 Volts by 2014? If we start declining this year by that time it'll come with a guy to guard it for you.

[Hagakure_Leofman]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('EnergyUnlimited', '
')Yes, it is.
Nevertheless it will take few years for that message to pass into cornucopian mob.

[idiom]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'W')orld : You owe us money USA. Please pay now.
USA : < Lifts up weapons > We owe you money?
World : Yes, you've been borrowing for decades now. Please pay...
USA : Who is going to make me?!

[Starvid]

Of course, the US could inflate away it's debts. Actually, with the weakening dollar and the interest rate cuts that is already partly happening.