So in terms of technology
solutions, our options are:
- Battery-Electric Cars
- Hybrids
- And Fuel Cell Vehicles
|
The next generation battery is the nickel metal-hydride
battery developed by Ovonic and SAFT. The big difference between the two is that
Ovonic’s battery is air cooled and SAFT’s is liquid cooled. The nickel
metal-hydride battery roughly doubles the range of an EV to about 150 miles on a
1,000-pound battery pack. Ford and GM use Ovonic’s battery (in EV1 and Ford’s
Electric Ranger).
Chrysler uses the SAFT NiMH battery. Coolant
jackets are built into the battery cases, then the coolant is manifolded between the
battery modules. Heat is a big problem with NiMH batteries, and SAFT feels as though their
liquid cooled system is superior.
|
