Lithium shortage to kill next gen hybrids?
Not a chance!So, last night I was nursing a glass of wine while discussing why the Chevy Volt should or should not be called a hybrid vehicle with some GM Volt engineers and David Vieau, President and CEO of A123Systems - one of GM's Volt battery partners. Eventually, that conversation ended and I started asking David a bunch of questions about lithium batteries.
Finish: Lithium shortage to kill next gen hybrids?
Labels: a123 systems, Chevy Volt electric vehicle concept, Hybrid Vehicles, lithium battery
posted by Dahcredyns at
7:43 PM
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So, last night I was nursing a glass of wine while discussing why the Chevy Volt should or should not be called a hybrid vehicle with some GM Volt engineers and David Vieau, President and CEO of A123Systems - one of GM's Volt battery partners. Eventually, that conversation ended and I started asking David a bunch of questions about lithium batteries.
Unfortunately, I didn't bring anything to take notes, but we covered why you can't just take a bunch of powertool batteries and weld them together - it's great for demonstrations, but just not cost effective. Likewise, hybrid cars demand a broader temperature range than powertools. Nonetheless, according to Mr. Vieau, lithium batteries will power next gen hybrid vehicles, including plug-ins and range extended hybrids.
Still, as some reports have suggested, is there the possibility of a materials shortage if the entire US fleet of automobiles converted to lithium-powered vehicles I asked? Absolutely not, David strongly confirmed. This is a conversation that A123 has investigated and discussed with its suppliers. Supplies will not limit A123's chemistry.
Even if the Volt is vaporware - which I don't believe it is - lithium is the near term future for the automobile. And, I believe that A123Systems will be a big part of that future.
it is great to hear that there will not be a lithium shortage for the next round of hybrid cars. With the popularity of the first round and larges tax credit sales for the new hybrids should be a fairly large percentage of the market.
Bottom line: Closer to pure hydrogen fuel cell cars?
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