Are Electric Vehicle Batteries Being Deliberately Suppressed?

[DavidUC]

I watched a movie called "Who Killed the Electric Car" and it raised a lot of suspicions although I know a few things were exaggerated and unfounded. They did bring up that Chevron owns the patent to NiMH batteries and will not allow them to be used for a voltage required for fully electric vehicles. As highly educated as you guys are, I was wondering what your thoughts are on the issue. Is battery technology being suppressed? Why haven't batteries advanced much? Why are lithium batteries so expensive? Is it really because the element itself is so expensive? Why haven't we improved their shortcomings (exploding, dead cells after few recharges, etc).

Can we expect electric and hydrogen storage to be a much higher priority in the near future?

 

[Reality_Patrol]

Is battery technology being suppressed? Why haven't batteries advanced much? Why are lithium batteries so expensive? Is it really because the element itself is so expensive? Why haven't we improved their shortcomings (exploding, dead cells after few recharges, etc).

Can we expect electric and hydrogen storage to be a much higher priority in the near future?

1. No, it's being pursued more aggessively than any other time in history.
2. Physical limits of electrochemistry. Look at the period table, lithium is the right answer and you see what they can do.
3. Processing for safety, pure lithium metal is dangerous so complicated processes are employed to use materials that intercalate the lithium, making it more expensive than the cost of elemental lithium.
4. They have improved greatly, particularly in regards to safety. In general though there are inevitable tradeoffs, the safer the battery is made either the more expensive it becomes or its performance is comprised in some important ways.
5. IMO, not until the cost of gasoline becomes prohibitive. We really aren't there yet. Business drives technology development not ethics. When the financial motivation is there it will happen. Stop worrying about it - that accomplishes nothing in any way.

 

[ravenprp]

There is indeed a lot of controversy surrounding battery technology, particularly in the context of electric vehicles. The movie "Who Killed the Electric Car" does raise some valid concerns about the role of corporations and patents in limiting the use of certain battery technologies. However, it is important to note that there are many factors at play in the development and use of batteries, and it is not a simple issue with one clear answer.

Firstly, it is true that Chevron does own the patent for NiMH batteries and has not allowed them to be used in fully electric vehicles. This is because they have chosen to focus on using NiMH batteries for hybrid vehicles, where they can make a profit without directly competing with gasoline-powered cars. However, it is not accurate to say that this is the only reason why NiMH batteries are not widely used in electric vehicles. There are also technical limitations to consider, such as the fact that NiMH batteries have a lower energy density compared to lithium-ion batteries, meaning they can store less energy per unit weight. This makes them less suitable for use in fully electric vehicles, which require a large amount of energy storage.

In terms of why batteries have not advanced much, it is important to understand that battery technology is a complex and constantly evolving field. While there have been significant advancements in recent years, such as the development of lithium-ion batteries and solid-state batteries, it takes time and resources to bring new technologies to market. There are also challenges in terms of cost and scalability, as well as safety concerns that must be addressed before a new battery technology can be widely adopted.

As for the high cost of lithium-ion batteries, it is not solely due to the cost of the element itself. Other factors such as production costs, supply and demand, and the complexity of the manufacturing process also contribute to the overall cost. However, as technology continues to improve and economies of scale are achieved, it is expected that the cost of lithium-ion batteries will decrease over time.

Regarding the shortcomings of batteries, such as the risk of explosions and limited lifespan, these are also areas of ongoing research and development. As mentioned earlier, battery technology is constantly evolving, and efforts are being made to improve safety and increase durability. However, it is important to note that no technology is perfect, and there will always be some level of risk involved in any energy storage system.

In terms of the future of electric and hydrogen storage, it is clear that these technologies will play a crucial role in the transition to a