Lead acid is not dead yet!

[PHEVadvocate]

Here are some links to claims about substantial improvements in Lead acid batteries.

Who knows maybe one of these will be cost effective:

http://www.csiro.au/news/UltraBattery.html (http://www.csiro.au/news/UltraBattery.html)

http://www.fireflyenergy.com (http://www.fireflyenergy.com/) (read the technical white paper)

http://www.axionpower.com/ (http://www.axionpower.com/) (see the technology link)

[Mark Tomlinson]

I've actually been impressed with Firefly for a while. They begin production in June and have just gotten $3.2 million more in federal funding. The first batteries will be for big rigs so that they don't have to leave the engine running all night for heat and light. And they are no little fly-by-night startup either; they are a spin off of Caterpillar.


I think they're the best bet while we're waiting for silicone nanowires.

[RAN]

Has Firefly gotten the 3D² battery into production yet? Is that the Oasis battery?

I know.... don't tell me... it's still "two years away" from being available for EV conversions. :-{(]

[RAN]

Actually, the hot product would be taking the Firefly battery and making it into an Ultra Battery.

It seems people are afraid to put all the ingredients together... several companies have a good piece of the puzzle, but nobody has the home run ball.

Imagine a hybrid EV with PML hub motors (controllers built-in) and Firefly Ultra Batteries (controllers built in), and a microturbine to run the genset. It would have range, speed, fuel economy with the ability to shun gas altogether, and wouldn't have to weigh much if any more than the original vehicle w/ICE powertrain; in fact, if you settled for "only" a 40-50 mile EV range, it might even weigh a little less.