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Battery Technology: Difference between revisions
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A '''[[Battery Technology|nickel | ==Lead Acid== | ||
A [[Hybrid Cars|hybrid]] vehicle uses a conventional lead acid battery for all the same reasons that a conventional automobile uses one. All [[Hybrid Cars|hybrid vehicles]] still have lead acid batteries, but most - not all - current [[Hybrid Cars|hybrids]] have a rechargeable [[Battery Technology|nickel metal hydride]] battery as an integral part of their [[Hybrid Cars|hybrid]] system, to assist in fuel savings and lower emissions. | |||
Lead-free alternatives, such as nickel metal hydride and lithium ion batteries, are already on the market in electric and electric-hybrid vehicles, and offer several advantages over conventional lead acid starter batteries. Performance and environmental benefits include: | |||
*Higher energy (power) density | |||
*Reduced weight/volume | |||
*Longer battery life | |||
*Improved fuel economy due to lighter weight and higher energy capacity | |||
*Less material used, lower toxicity, and potentially recyclable | |||
==Nickel Metal Hydride== | |||
A '''[[Battery Technology|nickel metal hydride]]''' battery (abbreviated NiMH) is a type of rechargeable battery similar to a nickel-cadmium (NiCd) battery, but has a hydride absorbing alloy for the anode instead of cadmium, which is an environmental hazard; therefore, it is less detrimental to the environment. Applications of NiMH type batteries include [[Hybrid Cars|hybrid vehicles]] such as the [[Honda Insight]] and [[Toyota Prius]]. | |||
==Lithium Ion== | |||
'''Lithium ion''' batteries (sometimes abbreviated Li-Ion) are a type of rechargeable battery commonly used in consumer electronics. They are currently one of the most popular types of battery, with one of the best energy-to-weight ratios, no memory effect and a slow loss of charge when not in use. Lithium ion battery applications have the potential of eclipsing the NiMH battery in [[Hybrid Cars|hybrid vehicles]] [http://www.hybridcars.com/[[Battery Technology|lithium-ion]]-[[Hybrid Cars|hybrid]]-batteries.html]; compared to a lithium ion battery, the NiMH battery's ''volumetric energy density'' (amount of potential energy stored in the battery) is lower and self-discharge is higher. Lithium ion batteries are smaller, lighter, and have fewer volatile gases than NiMH batteries. However, they are not currently scaled for use in [[Hybrid Cars|hybrid]] vehicle applications - while they have potential cost-saving attributes, they can be dangerous if mistreated, and, because they are less durable, may have a shorter lifespan compared to other battery types. | '''Lithium ion''' batteries (sometimes abbreviated Li-Ion) are a type of rechargeable battery commonly used in consumer electronics. They are currently one of the most popular types of battery, with one of the best energy-to-weight ratios, no memory effect and a slow loss of charge when not in use. Lithium ion battery applications have the potential of eclipsing the NiMH battery in [[Hybrid Cars|hybrid vehicles]] [http://www.hybridcars.com/[[Battery Technology|lithium-ion]]-[[Hybrid Cars|hybrid]]-batteries.html]; compared to a lithium ion battery, the NiMH battery's ''volumetric energy density'' (amount of potential energy stored in the battery) is lower and self-discharge is higher. Lithium ion batteries are smaller, lighter, and have fewer volatile gases than NiMH batteries. However, they are not currently scaled for use in [[Hybrid Cars|hybrid]] vehicle applications - while they have potential cost-saving attributes, they can be dangerous if mistreated, and, because they are less durable, may have a shorter lifespan compared to other battery types. | ||
Revision as of 13:50, 7 July 2006
Lead Acid
A hybrid vehicle uses a conventional lead acid battery for all the same reasons that a conventional automobile uses one. All hybrid vehicles still have lead acid batteries, but most - not all - current hybrids have a rechargeable nickel metal hydride battery as an integral part of their hybrid system, to assist in fuel savings and lower emissions.
Lead-free alternatives, such as nickel metal hydride and lithium ion batteries, are already on the market in electric and electric-hybrid vehicles, and offer several advantages over conventional lead acid starter batteries. Performance and environmental benefits include:
- Higher energy (power) density
- Reduced weight/volume
- Longer battery life
- Improved fuel economy due to lighter weight and higher energy capacity
- Less material used, lower toxicity, and potentially recyclable
Nickel Metal Hydride
A nickel metal hydride battery (abbreviated NiMH) is a type of rechargeable battery similar to a nickel-cadmium (NiCd) battery, but has a hydride absorbing alloy for the anode instead of cadmium, which is an environmental hazard; therefore, it is less detrimental to the environment. Applications of NiMH type batteries include hybrid vehicles such as the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius.
Lithium Ion
Lithium ion batteries (sometimes abbreviated Li-Ion) are a type of rechargeable battery commonly used in consumer electronics. They are currently one of the most popular types of battery, with one of the best energy-to-weight ratios, no memory effect and a slow loss of charge when not in use. Lithium ion battery applications have the potential of eclipsing the NiMH battery in hybrid vehicles lithium-ion-hybrid-batteries.html; compared to a lithium ion battery, the NiMH battery's volumetric energy density (amount of potential energy stored in the battery) is lower and self-discharge is higher. Lithium ion batteries are smaller, lighter, and have fewer volatile gases than NiMH batteries. However, they are not currently scaled for use in hybrid vehicle applications - while they have potential cost-saving attributes, they can be dangerous if mistreated, and, because they are less durable, may have a shorter lifespan compared to other battery types.
Related articles:
http://www.hybridcars.com/battery-comparison.html
http://www.evworld.com/view.cfm?section=article&storyid=1042
