Re: Hybrid Batteries-Lithium is best

The new lithium batteries are a big jump ahead. They have more power than the currently used NiMH, they are lighter and less toxic. In fact the EPA shows they are safe to just throw in the trash.
One of the best things about lithium batteries is you can charge and discharge more energy out of them. For instance a NiMH uses about 35% of it energy and a lithium ion battery can use 70%. That more than double the usable energy.
A very good information list is on the www.hybrids-plus.com website. They also make a plug in hybrid option for the Prius to give it over 100 mpg. They tell about ultra capcitors and other choices too. Here are some of their facts=

Are the batteries safe for the environment?
Yes. Lithium Ion batteries contain no heavy metals, no acids. They may be disposed safely and legally in a landfill. But why dispose of them when they can be recycled? These batteries contain materials that are worth recycling.

Why don't you use NiMH batteries? They're cheaper!
Because they weight twice as much and are twice as big as LiIon cells (for a given amount of energy storage). Because they heat up more, requiring careful cooling. Because you can only use part of the energy they store (their life would be much shorter if charged and discharged completely).

11.2  Why don't you use Ultra Capacitors? They last forever!
Because, for a given amount of energy storage, Ultra Capacitors are 20 times as big as LiIon cells, and they cost 10 times as much. reference

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