Originally Posted by
samc
On the electric side, I heard producing the NIMH batteries creates a ton of pollution. I doubt LiION or NICAD batteries are much better especially when you account for disposal. I've never heard what battery type is most viable for a 4 door sedan application. Does anyone know?
Not that we shouldn't do something to get off fossil fuels but I don't think we have any near term alternatives. Isn't the automobile still a small part (10%) of the overall US fossil fuel consumption?
Private automobiles are a very large part of US fossil fuel consumption. The electric grid uses more energy than cars, but some of the grid is hydro, nuclear, or more-abundant coal or NG. Without looking it up, I'm pretty sure that cars/SUVs consume the largest or second-largest chunk of the oil we use in the US.
Li batteries are probably the most effecient thing we have for cars now, and they do pose a waste problem. However...if we go to large numbers of electric vehicles, a battery disposal/recycling infrastructure will develop shortly.
From a cost perspective, plain old lead-acid batteries are probably cheapest EV power source even if you do have to replace them every three years. Deep-cycle boat/RV batteries work fine in electric cars, and you can buy them anywhere.
Li batteries are more effecient and lighter, but they cost serious bank when they wear out.