In Power: By the numbers

The Herald Bulletin

June 27, 2009 10:29 pm

— Federal stimulus funds supporting electric vehicles:
— $1.5 billion in grants offered by the U.S. Department of Energy to U.S.-based manufacturers to produce advanced batteries and their components
— $500 million in grants offered by the U.S. Department of Energy to U.S.-based manufacturers to produce other components needed for electric cars, such as electric motors
— $400 million in grants offered by the U.S. Department of Energy to demonstrate and evaluate plug-in hybrids and other electric infrastructure concepts, such as truck-stop charging stations, electric rail and training for technicians to build and repair electric vehicles
— Total: $2.4 billion
Source: U.S. Department of Energy
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Indiana proposed energy program
— $68 million funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and distributed by the Indiana Office of Energy Development
— Emphasis on job creation and creation of permanent assets
— Project selection committee chaired by Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman and included representation by the governor’s office, Office of Management and Budget, Indiana Economic Development Corporation and Indiana Office of Energy Development
— Selections were made May 12 and sent to the U.S. Department of Energy for approval; it is unclear whether projects will be approved by the original July 1 deadline
Source: Indiana Office of Energy Development
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Disadvantages of traditional lead-acid batteries in vehicles
— Heavy (battery pack weighs 1,000 pounds or more)
— Bulky
— Limited capacity (holds 12-15 kilowatt-hours of electricity, giving car a 50-mile range)
— Slow to charge (four to 10 hours for full charge)
— Short life (three to four years)
— Expensive (about $2,000 per battery pack)
Source: howstuffworks.com
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Lithium-ion battery advantages/disavantages
Advantages
— Lighter than other types of rechargeable batteries of same size
— High energy density (150 watt-hours of electricity in 1 kilogram of battery)
— Holds its charge better than other battery types
— Does not need complete discharge before it is recharged
— Can handle hundreds of charge/discharge cycles
Disadvantages
— Is sensitive to high temperatures
— Will be ruined if completely discharged
— Must have on-board computer to manage it
— Poses small chance of igniting if it fails
Source: howstuffworks.com