Congress must help America develop lithium-ion batteries

When the movie Who killed the electric car showed experts whom claimed the technology for electric cars was available in the days of NiMH batteries, I had to laugh - hysterically. Many fans of plug-in hybrids seem to believe the same idea. Yet, speak with experts at GM, hybrid leader Toyota, or fuel efficiency leader Honda and they all eventually hit the same point: maintaining the sweetspot.

Sure automakers can make plug-in hybrids today, but maintaining the sweetspot with today's lithium-ion batteries isn't easy. In fact, to do so in a cost effective way simply isn't possible. Would you a buy a car that is going to cost an extra $4000 every 4 years to replace your batteries? In reality, that's a strong possibility. In addition, even if next generation batteries exist, feasibility studies still have to be carried out, and that takes years - the insurance industry demands it.

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