Plugs and Cars

OCTOBER 11, 2007

I recalled hearing in 2005 that BYD acquired a license from Ovonics to manufacture NiMH batteries. Now, using Lithium (a Chinese product without lead!)

Chinese 100

Chinese 2008 Electric Cars NiMH 100

Plugs and Cars

JULY 25, 2007

From today's NY Times Toyota to Test Plug-In Hybrid, Rivaling G.M.

Nickel Metal Hydride 100

Nickel Metal Hydride Plug-in Conversion NiMH 100

Plugs and Cars

DECEMBER 12, 2007

One of the things he specifically said to Sherry Boschert, author of Plug-in Hybrids , to demonstrate the inadequacy of NiMH in electric cars was that the batteries have been replaced in many of SCE's fleet of RAV4-EVs. Of the almost 14,000 NiMH battery modules powering these EVs only a little less than 0.5% had to be replaced!

NiMH 100

NiMH 2003 Congress Plug-in 100

Plugs and Cars

APRIL 25, 2007

Let's not forget, as GM hypes the Volt , 1000 140-range NiMH EV1 electric cars rot in the Arizona sun. Praising his Toyota RAV4 EV, Avi Hershkovitz says, "I've put more than 121,000 miles (195,000 km) on this vehicle, and it's definitely the best, most reliable thing I've ever driven."

EV1 100

EV1 Electric Cars Miles NiMH 100

Plugs and Cars

OCTOBER 22, 2007

I hope someone tells Mr Asakura about the NiMH batteries Toyota used in the RAV4 EV. The prototype PHEV's use two current generation Prius battery packs sandwiched together and modified to deliver a greater ability to charge and discharge. Actually achieved over 15 times greater range back in 1997. Toyota • Moving Backward?

Nickel Metal Hydride 100

Nickel Metal Hydride Plug-in Toyota Plug 100

Plugs and Cars

NOVEMBER 22, 2007

The first cars will utilize NiMH batteries, as do the Toyota test platform Plug-in Priuses at the University of California. From where I sit (in the driver's seat of a NiMH powered Toyota RAV4 EV) this seems eminently practical. NiMH is the risk-free pathway.

London 100

London G-Wiz i-MiEV Recharge 100

Plugs and Cars

JANUARY 6, 2008

They could make a preliminary, limited run Volt without waiting for "perfect" batteries - say something like the NiMH that worked quite well in the EV1 (and still do in our RAV4 EVs.) They could encourage museums and universities with donated, disabled EV1s to rebuild them as electric cars and allow them on the roads.

Volt 100

Volt GM EV1 NiMH 100

Plugs and Cars

MARCH 23, 2007

Regardless, GM ought to be producing the Volt now with the best available batteries, a PHEV-version of the NiMH in every hybrid on the road and which took the EV1 140 miles between charges. Arguably, the Prius hybrid halo has enabled Toyota's more recent play for the American's profitable big SUV and truck market.

Volt 100

Volt GM Plug-in Plug 100

Plugs and Cars

JULY 14, 2007

The first 14 paragraphs spread the confusing tale of battery types and energy densities, never mentioning NiMH 140 mile range EV1s (all crushed) or 120 mile range Toyota RAV4 EVs still on the road after over 100,000 miles. Despite the imminent release of the Lithium powered Tesla, you have to read to paragraph #15 to find mention of the car.

LS 600H 100

LS 600H Hydrogen Nickel Metal Hydride Green 100

Plugs and Cars

JULY 26, 2007

They get credits (and credit) and don't have to do much of anything but watch their hybrid improve on someone else's dime.

Convert 100

Convert Prius Plug-in Civic Hybrid 100

Plugs and Cars

OCTOBER 27, 2007

The NiMH batteries (same chemistry as in every Prius, including the PHEV under review here) which take my Toyota RAV4 EV over 100 miles using 10 year old technology and existing electric infrastructure and cost perhaps $20,000 in minimal production numbers, aren't considered ready for prime time and are often said to be too expensive.

Plug-in 100

Plug-in Plug Prius Highlander 100

Plugs and Cars

APRIL 22, 2007

With NiMH batteries - those that provide energy to every hybrid on the road and thousands of all-electric cars - the Volt plug-in hybrid could go into production today. Tags: e-flex plug-in hybrid chevy volt RAV4 EV Bob Lutz Lithium hydrogen sharon terlep california air resources board GM serial hybrid toyota CARB NiMH.

Volt 100

Volt NiMH GM Plug-in 100