C'mon! Tax credits for all lithium hybrids

You're no plug-in, Ford hybrid

Today, Toyota is facing a battery shortage for its hybrid cars. By next year, however, Toyota might have enough batteries to produce 1 million hybrids per year.

Aside from Honda, no other automaker will produce even 100,000 hybrid vehicles per year until lithium is developed. Even then, many automakers might skip hybrids, instead preferring to put their lithium technology into limited production plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles.

Finish: C'mon! Tax credits for all lithium hybrids

Major breakthroughs in plug-in technology still required

Plug-in space still wide open

The other day Germany announced its plans to put 1 million plug-in vehicles on the road by 2020. While critics have claimed the program is lacking in details and funding, it's no surprise Germany would implement such a goal considering the importance of the auto industry on the German economy and psyche.

Finish: Major breakthroughs in plug-in technology still required

Another GM plug-in bites the dust?

Vue plug-in hybrid killed twice

Earlier this year I was invited to test drive the dual mode Saturn Vue hybrid, and I was excited. This was the first GM full hybrid that I could at least consider buying. Moreover, the Vue hybrid was destined to become a plug-in hybrid.

Finish: Another GM plug-in bites the dust

Lifetime tax credits for the Volt?

What's the Volt worth to America?

What's a better deal, the Chevy Volt or the Toyota Prius?

The Prius, by a long shot according to analysis by CNNMoney. Even if a Volt driver were to use only electricity to power the Volt and gas were to hit $5.00, the Prius is a still a better deal, even after the government's $7500 tax credit for the Volt.

Finish: Lifetime tax credits for the Volt?

Even with tax credits plug-ins not cost-effective

Sexy, but expensive

A new study by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI) finds that the move to plug-in hybrid vehicles will not be easy. Likewise, even if the current Federal Tax Credit for plug-in vehicles - ranging from $2,500 to $7,500 based on battery pack capacity - were made permanent, even more incentives would be required to achieve any serious market penetration, such as a sales tax exemption, in addition to other subsidies.

Finish: Even with tax credits plug-ins not cost-effective

Plug-in battery grants: All about denial

Will these save the US auto industry?

Just a short while ago, President Obama officially announced his plan to provide some $2 billion in grants to develop a battery industry in the US claiming that 'We failed far too long to invest in innovative technology'.

Such as the billion GM lost on the EV1? Such as the $1 billion + the Clinton Administration granted automakers to develop the next generation of fuel efficient vehicles? That's a couple a billion for innovative technology right there.

Finish: Plug-in battery grants: All about denial

Time to get real about the plug-in revolution?

Great for media, but how about the real world?

If it were up to me, I'd cancel the cash for clunkers program and offer an unlimited tax credit, at least through 2015, for any and every vehicle that achieves at least 50 mpg combined. I might even add an additional credit for any vehicle that achieves 100 mpg combined.

Ultimately, I'd bet that would lead to a rush in development of hybrid cars and other plug-in vehicles if the credit were similar to the clunker's program.

Finish: Time to get real about the plug-in revolution?

Next for Toyota's plug-in hybrids

Next step for plug-ins unclear

Toyota is still on track to release a pilot fleet of 500 plug-in Prius hybrids this year, but the automaker is not yet certain what the next step will be for lithium-powered plug-in hybrids.

Finish: Next for Toyota's plug-in hybrids

Plug-in tax credits counter productive?

A volt of reality?

In the next few years, if you're interested in a buying a hybrid car to save gas, to fight foreign oil dependency, or to reduce your CO2 footprint, you won't receive any help from the government, unless you buy a plug-in hybrid. Unfortunately, however, for the next several years, there will be very few plug-in hybrids available for sale even if cost is irrelevant.

Even more alarming, plug-in hybrids might not ever make financial sense to either consumers or automakers. In fact, according to a new plug-in vehicle study, almost every plug-in vehicle - both electric and hybrid - is taking the wrong path to mass adoption, and economies of scale. Only switchable batteries, this study finds, offer a path to cost-effective plug-in vehicles.

Finish: Tax credits for plug-ins counter productive?

Hyundai's cool blue plug-in

The Blue-Will plug-in hybrid

Hyundai is showing off its latest hybrid concept as a sneak preview to the Seoul Auto Show in April. The Blue-Will plug-in hybrid, according to AutoWeek, utilizes used recycled soda bottles for the headlights, as well as biodegradable plastics for the engine cover and interior. Likewise, the panoramic solar-celled roof will help charge the battery.

Can batteries store solar and wind power?

Same technology as car batteries?

Read an interesting story this morning on wind turbines and using batteries to store excess power, as well as some other technologies. One company, A123Systems, is considering making batteries for wind turbines directly for this purpose.

Currently, A123Systems makes lithium batteries for plug-in hybrid vehicles and electric cars, and I cannot help but wonder if A123, and others, are contemplating lithium for this purpose.

If so, could it help cause a shortage of lithium quicker than expected?

Is the Volt's battery too big?

Too much EV range?

Carnegie Mellon University has finished carrying out an interesting study on the "impact of plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) battery pack size on fuel consumption, cost and greenhouse gas emissions over a range of charging frequencies (distance traveled between charges)," according to GreenCarCongress.

Finish: Is the Volt's battery too big?

Funding the plug-in revolution

Is now the right time?

$150 billion over ten years to help the US auto industry develop much more fuel efficient vehicles, especially plug-in hybrids. Sounds like a good idea, but from where will the money come? Is it enough?

Finish: Funding the plug-in revolution

EIA - PHEVs over-hyped?

Is this really going to save GM?

By 2014, automakers will be selling 90,000 plug-in hybrid vehicles per year in the US, thanks to tax credits, according to a new EIA report. And, by 2030 PHEVs will make up just 2 percent of total new vehicle sales in the US.

Conventional hybrid vehicles, on the other hand, will make up 38 percent of new sales, compared to 2.4 percent in 2008.

Finish: EIA Outlook: PHEVs over-hyped and more bailout questions

Lithium shortages to stymie plug-ins?

Shortages, costs and environmental concerns

Even before the first mass-produced plug-in hybrid vehicles hit the road, questions continue to mount regarding the viability of lithium to power these new vehicles. Some have questioned lithium supplies. Some have questioned long term costs.

Finish: Lithium questions continue for plug-ins

Gridpoint's V2G technology continues to develop business

The leader of V2G technology

One of the keys to the potential success of plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles will be vehicle to grid technology, otherwise known as V2G technology.

Currently, there are a number of utilities across the country that have converted hybrid cars into plug-in hybrid cars to fully test the feasibility of these vehicles upon the electric grid. In many of these tests, technology developed by V2Green, now owned by Gridpoint, is being utilized.

Makes me wonder whether V2G will be an especially smart green investment if Barack and Democrats take over the White House and Congress?

Tax credits for plug-in conversions - Another congressional failure?

More proof Congress is inept?

When Congress came up with tax credits for plug-ins, they seemed very focused on making sure that the Chevy Volt, and GM, was rewarded. Fine. GM is an American company. But, A123Systems is also an American company and, possibly, a very important American company in terms of the future.

Finish: Tax credits for plug-in conversions - Another Congressional failure?

Plug-in success dependent upon gas prices

How fast will lithium for autos develop?

What kind of penetration will plug-in hybrid vehicles and electric cars make into world auto sales by 2020?

That depends on the price of oil according to a study funded by Credit Suisse. According to the study, plug-ins will achieve 10 percent world market penetration by 2020 if the price of oil is $100 per barrel. If the price of oil hits $200, then plug-inz could achieve 25 percent penetration.

A123Sytems and GE increase hybrid battery partnership

Made in America

About a month ago, when Chrysler announced its new plug-in vehicles, it seemed hard to believe that Chrysler might be as close to plug-ins as GM and the Chevy Volt. But there are now a few tantalizing details about the batteries powering Chrysler's ENVI, or electric drive initiative, vehicles that should spark any hybrid fan's interest.

Chrysler's batteries were developed in coordination with GE under a DOE grant, and the batteries took a slightly different path than other lithium batteries, using two chemistry's rather than one - one for power and one for energy. Finish: A123Systems and the perfect hybrid battery

Are you worried about battery dependency?

The battery-powered EcoVoyager

Chrsyler CEO, Bob Nardelli, told CNBC TV this evening that "great synergies" existed for automotive industry consolidation because of the financial environment, but he would not discuss a possible merger with GM.

Nardelli also claimed that new CAFE standards had created a "tremendous financial burden" on the automaker, and that it was important that America didn't turn foreign oil dependence into dependence on foreign batteries.

While I'd rather be dependent on foreign batteries than foreign oil any day of the week, if Detroit had taken some leadership on hybrid cars, this would be a non-issue.

Mitsubishi expands plug-in lineup

EVs and PHEVs

Mitsubishi has now added plans to develop plug-in hybrid vehicles in addition to its previously stated plans to develop electric vehicles such as the iMiev according to GCC.

"The development of a plug-in hybrid comes on the heels of the auto maker’s plan to launch a mass-produced electric vehicle [the iMiEV] next year in Japan... Masuko noted that the plug-in hybrid will be better suited for longer distances than the electric car."

Automakers suck. What else can you say?

Nissan's electric concept at the Paris Auto Show

As the Fall days have grown darker, so has my mood. Massive bailouts, loans and tax incentives for big, failing US businesses.

Where's my massive bailout? Where's my cheap loan?

I know. I know. The bailout isn't a bailout of Wall Street. It's a bailout of main street. The bailout ensures than one day I can again finance a car that makes no sense in the modern world.

Finish: Do automakers suck?

Europe's Opel Volt coming in 2011

The Opel FLEXtreme Concept

The E Flex Drive that powers the Chevy Volt will make its way into Europe, as an Opel, in 2011 according to multiple reports. While the final design of the concept has not been hammered out, it will not look like the Volt. Nonetheless, it could share some Volt design cues that were driven by the aerodynamics.

In the past, GM has displayed the Opel FLEXtreme as one design idea for the Opel E Flex vehicle. However, this design might be as plausible in the wind tunnels as was the original Chevy Volt concept.

In the interim, GM is going to be working with European leaders to develop plug-in stations for the modern urbanites in Europe without garage access.

Audi PHEV questions series superiority

Parallel plug-in hybrids aren't dead yet

Audi is debuting an interesting plug-in hybrid today at the Paris Auto Show.

The Audi A1 Sportback plug-in hybrid can achieve up to 62.4 miles in pure electric mode according to reports. However, the Audi A1 can also draw power from a conventional engine or, in boost mode, the Audi A1 can use both the conventional engine and the electric motor.

Finish: Audi's Paris plug-in hybrid concept demonstrates plug-in variability

Automakers using plug-ins for CAFE credits

Tesla hoping to sell its CAFE credits

Foreign oil dependency is choking America, literally, to death. Thus, I've advocated for hybrid cars, even when they don't make financial sense. It's an investment in the future and next generation technologies, such as plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Fortunately, these days, every automaker is planning some kind of plug-in, and that's a good thing. Yet, I worry.

Finish: Automakers using plug-ins for CAFE credits

How to judge 'fuel economy' of plug-ins

What's the value of plugging in?

When tax credits for plug-ins become available, neither electric range nor fuel economy will matter, only battery capacity - a move that appears to strongly favor GM's Chevy Volt versus the Toyota Prius.

However, when it comes to the EPA and CAFE, it's fuel economy that will matter. And that is the standard that Congress will judge automaker fleet fuel economy.

So why the double standard?

Finish: Plug-in Ratings: Both Congress and the EPA confused

Yeah, we all want them, but can we all afford plug-in hybrids?

Honda has it right?

Plug-in vehicles. It's the new darling of the automotive world. It's the future. The saviour of the US auto industry. Still, when does this future make cost-effective sense for BOTH consumers and automakers?

For the past few months Hybridcarblog has run a survey asking 'What is the most you would pay for the Chevy Volt'?. Almost half those responding, 47 percent, don't want to pay more than $20,000 for a such vehicle. Another 40 percent won't pay more than $30,000.

Finish: We all want plug-in hybrids, but can we afford them?

15 percent by 2035: The reality of plug-in hybrids

How long before all of us drive something like the Volt?

All day long I've been working on a story that I titled 'Fool's Gold: The electrification of the automobile', that I just haven't been able to finish. Now before EV fans go crazy, I'm not arguing against electric vehicles or plug-in hybrid vehicles. I'm arguing the reason for these vehicles is to get off oil, especially foreign oil, and to reduce our carbon footprint.

Finish: 15 percent by 2035 - The reality of plug-in hybrids

Is Congress acting smart on plug-in hybrid tax credits?

Only about battery capacity, not actual EV range, nor real world fuel economy?

The Senate has passed a new tax bill that will provide tax credits for plug-in hybrid vehicles ranging from $2,500 - $7,500, depending on the vehicle's battery capacity. To be eligible for the credit, such plug-in vehicles must store at least 6 kWh's of electricity.

So, battery capacity, not actual EV range nor real world fuel economy, is how Congress judges plug-in quality? Does that really make sense?

Finish: $7,500 plug-in hybrid tax credit passes Senate - Too favorable to Volt?

Chrysler ready to go hybrid in 2010

A wrangler plug-in vehicle

Behind the Wheel has a great piece this morning on Chrysler's new plug-in vehicles. Yesterday, Phil LeBeau was able to drive a couple of Chrysler plug-in prototypes, such as the Jeep Wrangler plug-in hybrid that functions very much like GM's Chevy Volt. LeBeau was also able to test drive the Dodge EV sports car, an all electric vehicle that left LeBeau impressed.

Even more surprising, Chrysler intends to roll out some of these vehicles by 2010.

Check it out. There is supposed to be a link to view all these test drives, but it wasn't working when I made this post.

Google and GE to partner on smart grid

Some day search might mean nothing to Google?

Space, solar power, plug-in hybrid vehicles, these are a just a few of the things in which Google is investing.

Together with GE, Google will develop a "policy partnership" to lobby Congress towards "tomorrow's power generation, transmission and distribution."

Ultimately, Google and GE are hoping their lobbying effort can bring smart grid technology to market quicker, a key technology to required for the electrification of the automobile. Obviously, a smart grid would also increase the efficiency of the power grid.

Enough? Energy Dept. grants $30 million to PHEVs

Time to get real about energy

The US Energy Department has given the Big 3 $30 million dollars to help fund some plug-in hybrid vehicle projects. The Big 3 had sought $500 million (more).

Wow, the US spends billions every year just on the coast guard and military costs of securing oil tanker lanes - a sum not paid at the pump, but rather through hidden taxes. Yet, the government can only spend $30 million on the technology that has the potential to end foreign oil dependency altogether?

The plug-in hybrid, religion?

A Prius before plug-in conversion

For years now I have been advocating for plug-in hybrid vehicles. Yet, I am often more apt to focus on the potential problems of the plug-in revolution, rather than the problems plug-ins will help solve. And, having spent time with engineers working on plug-in hybrids, I can assure you, there are, and will be, problems.

Still, I find it very alarming how many plug-in fans refuse to accept any criticism of plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles. Apparently, plug-ins are part of the global warming religion (While I believe in man-influenced global warming, I do not subscribe to the religion).

Finish: The plug-in hybrid, religion

Electric vehicles and nuclear power

Fueled by nuclear power?

Recently I asked the question, Are plug-in hybrids code for nuclear power? With numerous folks on the right supporting plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles, I cannot help but think that some are using the move to electric autos as a ploy for more nuclear power.

Yesterday, during the GMnext event, a reporter asked Gary Smyth, Director of Powertrain Systems Research Laboratory, about the electricity needed to 'electrify' automobiles and whether nuclear power would play a role. Read more....

Chevy Volt: It's the battery, stupid

If only we could plug some Energizers into the Volt

I'm participating in the GM next event today which is focused on the future of GM. One of the hottest topics is the Chevy Volt, and the key to the Volt is the battery technology.

"The enabler for both plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles is in having the right combination of specific energy and specific power with the capability of being able to repeatedly deplete the state of charge of the battery," Gary Smyth, Director of Powertrain Systems Research Laboratory stated. Read more....

Hyundai just studying plug-in hybrids

Hyundai working on FCEVs not yet sure on PHEVs

Hyundai still has no plans for plug-in hybrid vehicles, according to unconfirmed sources, although the automaker is studying the idea. Still, the Accent hybrid will go on sale in 2009.

I guess some hybrid vehicles are better than no hybrids.

Could the Vue beat the Prius to lithium?

Will the Vue hybrid be GM's next dual mode hybrid?

At this year's LA Auto Show, GM focused on its hybrid vehicles and the Chevy Volt. New technologies are the future, GM seemed to say, and this is how we're heading into the future, with hybrids today and the Volt and fuel cell vehicles tomorrow.

A year earlier at the same LA Auto Show, GM had created some buzz by announcing plans for a Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid vehicle. Yet, at this year's show, there was no word on the Saturn Vue hybrid, which seems odd. If the Chevy Volt is going to launch in 2010, it seems obvious that the Vue plug-in hybrid, ideally, would have to launch before the Volt.

So, is 2009 the year of the Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid? Read more.....

Hybrid cars: Is plugging in always the best option?

A great highway car?

In the past I have claimed the best hybrid cars are plug-in hybrid vehicles, and to a great extent, I still believe this to be the case, particularly if those PHEVs receive their electricity from renewable sources, such as solar and wind power.

Nonetheless, are PHEVs in danger of being over-hyped, at the expense of other technologies? Read more.....

A hybrid plug-in hybrid vehicle

A conventional hybrid vehicle or a plug-in hybrid vehicle

I just finished reading an inspiring MotorTrend article about the Challenge X - a competition to find the next generation of hybrid vehicles. Of course diesel hybrids and other biofueled hybrids, in addition to fuel cell hybrids, were developed by various universities to compete in this competition. However, one of the most interesting hybrids came from UC-Davis. Finish....

Will consumers want plug-in hybrids?

Would consumers flock to 100 mpg $30,000 plug-in Prius hybrids?

In several recent posts, I've made some negative statements regarding plug-in hybrid vehicles. So, have I changed my mind about something I've called a revolutionary technology?

No. I'm still a huge advocate of plug-in hybrid vehicles. Still, I'm a bigger fan of lithium than of plug-in hybrids. Ultimately, I have serious concerns about the electric grid in terms of reliability, security and greenness. Thus, a lithium hybrid with some kind of capacitor might actually make better sense in terms of fuel economy, cost, emissions, etc - at least for some drivers. Finish.....

Does Toyota's NiMH PHEV matter?

A plug-in hybrid from Hymotion

When I was at the LA Auto Show, there was a protest across the street demanding that automakers start making plug-in hybrid vehicles. While much focus has been placed on lithium batteries for plug-in hybrids, demonstrators converted a NiMH powered Toyota Prius into a plug-in NiMH powered Prius - as proof that today's batteries were ready for plug-in technology.

But really, is there a point to such a conversion? Thus, is there a point to Toyota's current PHEVs that utilize NiMH battery backs? Read more....

Are plug-in hybrid vehicles green?

The Velozzi plug-in multifuel hybrid electric vehicle

X-Prize contender, the Velozzi plug-in hybrid, is a series plug-in hybrid that, in theory, will achieve 100-200 mpg. Like the Chevy Volt, the Velozzi runs on electricity, and can also use any heavy fuel to generate electricity. Unlike the Volt, however, the Velozzi isn't intended to be a heavy fuel-range extended electric vehicle. Velozzi would prefer that biofuels were used to generate your vehicle's electricity, rather than grid electricity - unless a significant percentage of the grid electricity is NOT powered by coal. Finish....

Why the Chevy Volt will succeed

It really is more than just a hype machine!

I'm not sure that there has ever been a concept vehicle that has resulted in more PR and hype than GM's Chevy Volt plug-in.

For instance, despite the fact that GM received the first and only lithium battery pack for the Chevy Volt just a few weeks ago, David Kiley of Business Week has already claimed that the Volt is "miles ahead" of Toyota and Honda. Yet, today there isn't one single Volt prototype that utilizes ANY of the potential Volt battery packs. There is still the potential - which will only be found in real world testing - that the battery packs currently planned just won't work.

Crazy!

But there is a change brewing in the world and I've been in a crazy sort of a mood since the LA Auto Show. Actually this current streak of insanity dates back a few weeks before the LA Show. That's when my belief in the automotive revolution changed, and I've since been reevaluating all my beliefs. Finish.....

CAFE? Whatever! Give me hybrid tax credits!!

Today's hybrid cars are the quickest way to plug-in hybrids

A number of the candidates running to be the next President have done a lot of talking about foreign oil dependency, but have offered few actual details other than CAFE, funding for battery research and ethanol.

Sadly, a number of the candidates also have jobs in Congress and they have not done anything about extending Toyota's and Honda's hybrid vehicle tax credits. Sure, putting many more hybrid cars on the road won't significantly reduce foreign oil dependency immediately, but it will significantly increase battery research and competition to create cost effective, fuel efficient technologies, such as plug-in hybrid vehicles.

CAFE? Blah, blah, blah. Give me something now! Why do politicians always talk about what they can do tomorrow, without doing ANYTHING today? As I stated in my earlier post on the hydrogen highway, politicians have no real vision for the future of America - it's all soundbites.

Walking the walk just isn't a requisite requirement for today's politicians.

How much would you pay for a Chevy Volt?

Worth more than $50,000?

When GM launches the Chevy Volt plug-in in 2010, it isn't going to be an economy car. In fact, it will probably launch as some sort of luxury model, but that isn't why people will be interested in the Volt.

Up to 40 miles on pure electricity with the ability to use gasoline or, potentially, some other liquid fuel, to extend the range of this vehicle further than most conventional vehicles makes the Volt, in theory, highly coveted. Ultimately, the Chevy Volt and other possible plug-in hybrid vehicles are "game changers" as GM's Bob Lutz often calls the Volt and the E Flex Drive upon which the Volt will be produced. Finish....

Don't call the Volt a hybrid?

The Volt hybrid. I mean range-extended vehicle

On the Eve of the LA Auto Show I had the pleasure to personally dine with GM's product guru, Bob Lutz. During the course of the evening, Mr. Lutz actually called the Chevy Volt a series hybrid - a good technical description of the Volt - yet I couldn't help but be amused.

Why? For many months now, GM has been on a major PR campaign to disassociate the words Volt and hybrid. Even though the Volt can correctly be called a plug-in hybrid vehicle, GM really wants to start defining itself as an electric drive company.

And, let's be honest, the Volt is a very different plug-in hybrid than would be a Hybrid Synergy Drive plug-in hybrid, such as the Toyota Prius hybrids that have been converted into plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Ultimately, however, if the Volt is successful, it won't matter whether you call it a plug-in or a range-extended vehicle, all customers will know is that they want the Volt.

100 mpg plug-in hybrids NOW?

Felix Kramer leads a protest across the street from the LA Auto Show

A number of protesters huddled around a Toyota Prius as it was converted into a plug-in hybrid vehicle today just outside the LA Auto Show. Felix Kramer and his CalCars.Org participated in the protest, as did several other plug-in hybrid-focused groups.

Essentially, these protesters claim that automakers have the technology and the ability to start making 100 mpg plug-in hybrid vehicles today. As proof they are converting conventional hybrids into plug-in hybrids.

So, are they right? Are automakers dragging their feet? I'll be posting more pictures and addressing these issues in a later post.

A plug-in Lexus hybrid?

Super fast, super efficient, even rechargeable Lexus hybrids?

Lexus is considering a number of new hybrid vehicles to reach outside its core market into "enthusiast groups", according to the DetroitNews.

One version might be a high performance hybrid, another option might offer extreme fuel economy and ultra low emissions. Even more interesting is the possibility of a rechargeable Lexus hybrid.

Such a plug-in Lexus hybrid is possible, according to General Manager Jim Farley, although a "super efficient" version of today's Hybrid Synergy Drive is more probable - at least in the short term.

Will Google help produce the Astrolab?

My dream car: A solar powered plug-in hybrid vehicle

O.K. The Venturi Astrolab solar powered plug-in hybrid is not exactly ready for primetime, but the fact that it is almost production-ready is extremely exciting.

Hybrid technology, plug-in technology, solar technology! Damn, had they just added biofuels and a small wind generator, it would be alternative energy perfection.

I was able to check out the Astrolab at Wired's NextFest, and if you live in California, you just might have seen the Astrolab on a freeway near your, as did the President of Google, according to Edmunds.

Google is now heavily invested in solar power and electric cars, and it has been pushing plug-in hybrid technology. Would't helping Venturi set up a factory in California to build Astrolabs be the perfect fit? The perfect convergence of technologies?

I hope so. Those guys at Google are money, baby.

Where are the lithium powered cars?

Lithium: Good enough for Mars but not the streets of America?

According to NASA and JPL, lithium-ion batteries have proven to be extremely reliable and effective, and these batteries have helped the Mars Rover far exceed the expectations of many Rover engineers.

Entrepreneurs and backyard mechanics have converted conventional vehicles in to electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles into plug-in hybrid vehicles without the massive R&D budgets of the major automakers. Yet, all of the major automakers are years away from mass-producing lithium powered automobiles.

Finish: Where are the lithium powered cars?