----- Original Message ---- From: Robin van Spaandonk
If I am not mistaken this works out to 24 Wh/kg, which is nothing to write home about. True, its not dainty - but to put it in perspective: One opinion worth repeating is this one (paraphrased): >From society's point-of-view Plug-In-Hybrids like the Volt, or a more >affordable version, like the Honda Insight "2 G" (70 mpg) but with a big >electric motor and plug in gizmos -- should be built now, not in two years, >and built without the slightest concern for the availability of high-tech, >high-energy batteries. The message is: Do it now, and do it as cheaply as possible, and when the "bettery" comes along later, then fine - as a replacement - but for now, the high-tech and risky batteries are NOT essential for huge benefits to accrue to both the owner and the rest of us. IOW the sentiment expressed here is that the low-tech, low cost but heavier solution (advanced lead acid) will save about as much net energy as the best lithium, and have all the other great benefits except for the extra weight - but at a fraction of the cost. And mostly that this can be done now. The added weight will detract somewhat, but far less than the sticker shock effect of the Volt and even the Prius, which are still a deal-killer for the average commuter. Get the PHEV out there now, and cheaply with old-tech batteries -- and if in 5 years the "bettery" or the EEStor ultracap - does come along at one fourth the weight, and at a reasonable cost - then that is about the right timing when the original SLA batteries will need to be changed out anyway. Jones After all, check out the resale value of the Insight, better % than the Prius and often selling at more than the original cost -- and check with the proud owners - Rolls Royce should be envious, Earlier this month, Honda revived the Insight name and introduced the second generation - a 5-door hatchback - but many wish they had just polished up a few details on the old one like a big honker of an electric motor. The new Insight is expected to go on sale in 2009 at half the price of the Volt. It makes a lot of economic sense. Maybe Korea is watching. Maybe China. BTW the original Insight had a 3-cylinder 1.0 liter ICE of less than 35 kW power - combined with a wimpy10-kW electric motor. Imagine this vehicle with a 60kW electric motor !!
