Prius - Page 2

 

Here's an interesting article that gives some insight into the challenge.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/4248082.html  

 
The reason Toyota gave a few years ago for their choice of NiMH instead of
LiIon was that NiMH does not have an inherent lifetime limitation while
LiIon does.That is not a show stopper, but it requires making LiIon
batteries with lifetimes comparable to NiMH batteries, or at least in the
ten year range instead of 3-5 years, before they can compete. Today Toyota
can say the batteries are designed to last the life of the car, but whether
they have reached the point they could say that about Lithium batteries is
doubtful.

Mike

 

In the early days of the lead/acid battery it was built to be rebuilt.  Of
course, that was back in the days when circuitry was repaired instead of
discarded.  In our throw-away world I wouldn't be surprised if today's goal
was an economical,  quick-change LiIon battery pack.  Cost effectiveness is
paramount, all else be damned.

 

SHORT TERM cost effectiveness.

Make it cheap to make a good number for the price tag so we get sales to
make our shareholders happy RIGHT NOW.  Screw tomorrow.

See where GM, AIG, Merrill Lynch, et al. are today after that theory.

 

You are SO right.