Lithium-Ion Batteries: Saving Grace Or Just Another Rathole?

The number of hybrid and electric vehicles coming to market in the next few years will be substantial. Right now, as many as 75 different hybrid models are either in the planning or production stage. Until recently, hybrid vehicles were powered by nickel-metal-hydride batteries. This battery formulation is considered less desirable than the new kid on the block, lithium-ion.

NiMH batteries don't hold as much charge as Li-ion batteries do, making Li-ion batteries more attractive for automotive applications. When hybrid and electric vehicles were first introduced, Li-ion batteries were used mainly in small electronics like laptops, cell phones and PDAs. Their tendency to fail spectacularly earned them a reputation as being unsafe. Li-ion batteries have been known to reach critically high temperatures during failure, and burst into flames. New technologies developed in the last few years have reduced the risk of failure in Li-ion batteries, and automakers are now moving rapidly toward designs that incorporate Li-ion batteries.

Therein lies the problem. According to experts at the US Geological Survey (USGS), there may not be enough lithium to go around. If hybrid and electric vehicles capture the attention of car buyers, the price of batteries - which is already substantial - could go through the roof. Combined with the fact that no one knows exactly how long Li-ion car batteries will last, the scarcity of lithium - and resulting high prices - could seriously impact the long-term future of plug-in, hybrid and electric vehicles.

Supporting battery research is essential to the viability of the auto industry, and to the overall goal of reducing carbon emissions, even if that means governmental subsidies to fund this research. Those technologies that hold the promise to supply transportation needs in the long run should be subsidized in favor of short-range propulsion technologies. Some automakers are already investigating battery formulations like zinc-air, magnesium and variants on nickel-metal hydride.

The challenges are enormous and the best progress will be made by large-scale governmental and private business cooperation. In this case, the need to ensure reliable, cost-effective transportation provides the most compelling arguments for governmental support of this research. Given the constraints on the availability of materials, the sooner we accept this conclusion, the better off we'll be.

Photo Credit: US Department Of Energy