alt.energy.renewable

On Sat, 25 Aug 2007 13:08:37 GMT, Bruce wrote:

>mauried@ (Mauried) wrote in
>news: @news. :
>
>> On Fri, 24 Aug 2007 22:58:44 GMT, Bruce wrote:
>>
>>>Punjab The Sailor Man wrote in
>>>news:46cf6070$0 $23509$4c368faf@ :
>>>
>>>>
>>>> Maybe if we weren't spending 3 billion dollars a week in Iraq,
>>>> electric cars would be more developed now.
>>>>
>>>
>>>Maybe if we weren't spending the majority of the budget on
>>>Entitlements, electric cars would be more developed.
>>
>> Theres no problem in making 250+ mile range electric cars.
>> The only problem is figuring out how to pay for the Lithium Ion
>> batteries that power them.
>> Lithium Ions seem to have the same problems as PV in that they are
>> extremely expensive (around $1K per KWH) and no sign of any price
>> breakthrus anytime soon.
>> They also dont last very long.(the batteries that is.)
>> The EVs that you can currently buy that have Lithium Ions all have
>> extremely vague guarantees on how the batterys will last.
>>
>
>Battery technology still has a long way to go. In communications devices
>Lithium Ion seem to have about the same average lifespan as Lead Acid
>batteries. If you charge them correctly. Not a good choice, in my opionion,
>to put in an object subject to violent collisions. Lithium is, afterall,
>rather hazardous stuff.
>
>Nickel Metal-Hydride is another very expensive battery option.

Im somewhat surprised that there hasnt been the development and
publicty given to making electric cars using direct conversion
gasoline fuel cells.
Efficiency is much better than burning the gasoline as is done now
and the dsitribution system would need no change.
Whilst you are still dependant on oil you would use far less of it
,and it would become practical to derive the oil to make the gasoline
from coal.