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U.S. automakers are seeking new ways to improve the performance of electric cars. Following a progressive energy bill which requires a 25% increase in fuel efficiency by 2020, car companies are ready to take another look at the technology behind the electric car. Plug-in vehicles had a brief moment in the sun (largely in California) in the late 1990s, but a short battery life, lack of consumer support, and the powerful oil lobby combined to shelve the idea. With the popularity of hybrid cars and the support of legislation, automakers are exploring new options to make the plug-in electric vehicle a viable product for U.S. drivers.

The environmental benefits of plug-in electric cars are clear: the electricity required to power them emits 50% less greenhouse gases than a traditional gas-powered vehicle. The practicality of these clean cars is less obvious. They can travel approximately 40 miles before needing to recharge, and some of them can be plugged in to regular wall outlets. This would be perfectly reasonable and even convenient for the vast majority of U.S. commuters, 78% of which have a daily drive of 40 miles or less. It would be very impractical, however, for any extended trip, especially if the vehicle in question required a special type of charging station, as did GM’s late 90s model, the EV1.

The key to making electric vehicles successful in the U.S. market is finding a battery technology that can increase their range and decrease their price. In a recent interview with Business Week, Nissan Senior VP of Technology Minoru Shinohara points out, “The price of the battery is almost equivalent to the car itself. It’s not very practical right now.” For this reason, automakers are looking beyond the battery systems of past electric cars to the same technology that is used in laptops.

Both Nissan and GM are planning to introduce electric cars that use a lithium-ion battery, unlike the nickel-metal hydride versions that GM used for the EV1. These batteries have the benefit of being more stable than NiMH versions, which allows them to pass safety standards for cars. There are still some safety concerns, however, as there was a rash of exploding lithium-ion batteries in laptops in 2006. The batteries also hold a stronger charge and weigh less. However, at current production costs, they are estimated to add approximately $10,000 to the consumer price of the car, making it very hard to compete with hybrid vehicles.

GM’s lithium-ion powered car is called the Chevy Volt, and it will likely hit the market by 2010. It boasts a completely electric engine with a backup power system that will kick in after the lithium-ion battery is drained. The backup system, called E-Flex Drive, can be configured to run on gasoline and E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline) or biodiesel. The electric battery can be recharged using a standard household outlet, or it can recharge itself using the gas-powered combustion engine. Hybrids already on the market, like Toyota’s popular Prius model, have nickel-metal hydride batteries recharged by a gas engine.

GM is still looking for a supplier for the battery system, and firms working to provide new technology solutions are getting a boost from government grants. One such company is A123 Systems, based in Watertown, MA and founded by an MIT professor. They have successfully created a lithium-ion battery that was demonstrated in a hybrid car, thanks to incentives from a Department of Energy grant. DOE funding for battery technology has reached $80 million this year, with $30 million going specifically towards developing fleets of plug-in electric cars. Automakers are also hopeful that government incentives will be available for consumers who purchase their green cars. A tax credit is already extended to hybrid owners, who get a break of up to $3000, depending on the purchase date and model of car.

Through a combination of innovation and government support, the electric car just might find a receptive market in the United States in coming years. It’s a good sign that filmmaker Chris Paine is making a sequel to his 2006 documentary, “Who Killed the Electric Car?” The title? “Who Saved the Electric Car?”

Tuesday, February 19th, 2008 Both comments and pings are currently closed.

By Haley January Eckels