Please
listen Congress - Detroit requests help on hybrid vehicle
batteries
Wednesday,
January 10, 2007
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.
I want nothing more than a plug-in hybrid vehicle right
now, but mass-produced plug-in hybrids are not yet a
reality. This isn't GM's fault. It isn't Detroit's fault.
It isn't any automakers fault. It is reality. Lest we
forget, just a few months ago, tiny lithium batteries in
notebook computers were exploding. Could automakers risk
such an event? There are still many kinks to work out, and
we should be working these kinks out as fast as possible -
that is blatantly true.
As a result, lithium-ion battery research and development
is extremely, vitally important and the Big
3 are now seeking government help. I say this help is
desperately needed. We need to help American battery
makers help develop and perfect these next generation
batteries. For if next generation lithium-ion batteries
can be perfected, they will lead an automotive revolution.
If American automakers are to survive into the future,
then their suppliers must be at the forefront of this
revolutionary technology. This should be, better be, a
no-brainer for Congress.
posted
by Dahcredyns at
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