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As most people aren't yet familiar with the effective difference (between old fashioned lead acid batteries and new lithium batteries), here are some exciting facts about batteries as they apply to electric cars.
The e-car was invented in 1835 (not a typo, 1835, not 1935). Since 1859 (150+ years), they have been powered by lead/acid batteries—like your regular car battery but “deep cycle” lead acid batteries. This type battery was invented in 1859, and has been used in many different forms for over 150 years. It is nearly 100% recyclable, it seemed to work like magic, but has had significant inherent limitations. They are very heavy, and their useful life is usually limited to 4 years with proper maintenance, but with performance stats that decline steadily over the entire 4 year life.
More advanced battery types include the nickel based battery, used by some hybrid makers, but now generally superseded by the LITHIUM BATTERY. Lithium batteries were invented/ developed over the past few decades by American, German, Japanese and Chinese engineers. At first only used in low weight electronic devices, they have been further developed as heavy duty traction batteries ( those powering movement of heavy objects, as a car.) For electric cars, the present day lithium-ion battery is a quantum leap superior to lead acid (or nickel) batteries: * far longer life, many more re-charge cycles. Current e-car lithium batts last 8 to 10 years with steady performance * 3000 recharges of 80%, vs only 500 for lead acids with their declining performance. * lighter weight * much higher power at lower current- low weight e-cars cost only 1 cent per mile in electricity * do not self discharge nearly as fast * no “memory” The trade-off is, they are about 5 to 9 times as expensive as good lead acid batteries per volt (depending on amp hour rating). Due to the investment involved, it is common to also install a “battery maintenance and data system” which ensures the battery cells charge evenly, and that the owner can monitor each battery’s statistics as well as the battery pack in total. The management system is not expensive.
Small shops such as ours have very good access to lithium batteries now, and for a lightweight e-car (we specialize in lightweight e-cars), lithium packs plus balancing can be installed for as low as $2600, all costs. This may sound high, but consider that once installed, the owner never needs to buy gasoline for 10 years, and the cost of the electricity used during that time will be as low as 1 cent per mile for a very light car, say 2 cents per mile for close to 2000 pounds, 3 cents a mile up to high 2000s, or 4 cents per mile for a car the weight of the Nissan Leaf (3370 pounds empty). And the car never makes a single ounce of pollution, and can be charged with electricity for which no pollution is made, if the user chooses to use clean electricity. Our lowest cost e-car with lithium pack is now under $8,000, all costs !
The price of lithium batteries is dropping with higher volume. The availability is very good. We offer all e-cars with the battery tech of your choice. We have financing for any e-car, regardless of brand or age. Insurance is readily available at prices below gas guzzler premiums. Here is a link to a current article (january 2012) quoting our Secretary of Energy, Nobel prize winner Stephen Chu, saying he expects lithium batteries to further drop 70% in price by 2015. The cost of finished electric cars can only drop by either people embracing smaller, lighter weight e-cars, or a drastic price drop in lithium batteries (or a newer cheaper technology being introduced). http://green.autoblog.com/2012/01/12/energy-secretary-chu-estimates-70-drop-in-ev-battery-costs-betw/
We do not try to make money on batteries, it is our policy to disclose all vendor info re the batteries, and to provide true copies of vendor invoices. We also stay close to many vendors' day by day prices for different brands and amp hour designations of lithium battery cells, so we can get you the best price on the cells when you are ready.
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