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Slow start for charge of the electric cars - Times Online

Tony Karrer Delicious EVdriven

Variations of lithium-ion batteries, as used on a smaller scale in laptops andmobile phones, are seen as the next big step. Virtually all the world’s bigmotor manufacturers are building prototypes using lithium-ion batteries butso far they have reached production only in a few low-volume models.

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Electric Car Manufacturers Inspire New Paradigms -- Seeking Alpha

Tony Karrer Delicious EVdriven

The MiEV runs on a lithium-ion battery pack that can be charged in seven or so hours on a 240-volt line. Better Place is building stations in San Francisco, Hawaii, Israel, and Denmark to swap out 1,000 pound batteries in a car wash type set up. Considering the cost of batteries, these are disposable cars.

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GM Says Chevrolet Volt Won't 'Pay the Rent' | Autopia from Wired.com

Tony Karrer Delicious EVdriven

It is simply the cost of doing business. "On some products, the costs, particularly in advanced technologies, are high," he said in a lengthy interview with Automotive News (free subscription required). Its been improving over time, but the power density and cost issues are still steep for what exists thus far.

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