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Not to be outdone by the Japanese automakers’ government-funded battery research, leading auto battery developers and materials suppliers in the U.S. are forming a coalition under a new government funded project.
The “Alliance” is formally called National Alliance for Advanced Transportation Battery Cell Manufacture. Its purpose is manufacturing advanced lithium ion battery cells for future electric cars and military vehicles. Currently, U.S. automakers rely on foreign suppliers for the battery packs used in hybrid and electric vehicles. The Alliance predicts that lithium ion batteries will eventually replace gasoline as the main source of energy in future vehicles.
The group will jointly develop manufacturing and prototype development centers that will ultimately manufacture advanced battery cells. The investment required will be $1- to 2 billion over five years, and is expected to come mainly from the federal government. The Alliance will ensure the most effective use of government resources by allowing members to share in the use of a large ultra-modern manufacturing facility.
Domestic automakers and Department of Defense representatives will be invited to serve on the Alliance’s advisory board. The advisory board will assist the cell makers in aspects of standardized that will streamline manufacture and ultimately lower the costs of cells.
Source: Argonne National Laboratory
We seriously need to get on with the business of becoming energy independent. While we are doing the happy dance around the pumps with the lower prices OPEC is planning yet more production cuts and will not quit until they achieve their desired price per barrel. The record high prices this past year have done serious damage to our economy and society. It would cost the equivalent of 60 cents per gallon to charge and drive an eelctric car. If all gasoline cars, trucks, and suv’s instead had plug-in electric drivetrains, the amount of electricity needed to replace gasoline is about equal to the estimated wind energy potential of the state of North Dakota.WE must move forward with energy independence. We have the knowledge, we have the technology, what America lacks is a plan. Jeff Wilson has a new book out that is beyond awesome. The Manhattan Project of 2009 Energy Independence NOW. He walks you through every aspect of oil, what it is used for besides gas, our depletion of it. The worlds increased need ie 3rd world countries becoming more modernized and consuming more. He explains EVERY alternative energy source and what role they can play to replace oil. His research is backed up with hard data and even includes a time frame and proposed legislative agendas to wean America off oil. http://www.themanhattanprojectof2009.comHe also has a VERY interesting article posted on the Better Place Blog called How Much Electricity Would It Take To Replace Gasoline you can read it at…http://planet.betterplace.com/profiles/blogs/how-much-electricity-does-it