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A battery breakthrough that could bring electric cars to the masses

GIGAOM -- A startup working on battery technology says it’s developed a key breakthrough that could one day lead to an electric car that has a 300-mile range and could cost around $25,000 to $30,000. Envia Systems, backed by venture capitalists, General Motors, and the Department of Energy, plans to announce on Monday at the ARPA-E conference that the company has created a lithium ion battery that has an energy density of 400 watt-hours per kilogram, which Envia CEO Atul Kapadia told me in an interview could be the tipping point for bringing electric cars to mainstream car owner.
…current Li-ion batteries deliver an energy density of around 100 to 150 watt-hours per kilogram, while Envia’s battery can deliver 2.5 times that energy with about the same weight as batteries in current electric cars.

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Submitted Feb 27, 2012 By: MacDad614

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golftellowcat Champion Author Ottawa Posts:2,442 Points:691,900 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Mar 4, 2012 5:29:05 PM Ignore golftellowcat Report Abuse Old news
goldrose1 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:10,931 Points:1,924,280 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Mar 1, 2012 6:04:34 PM Ignore goldrose1 Report Abuse innovations
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,609 Points:1,608,545 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 1, 2012 5:07:41 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse esquirrel: indeed no ready product, but GM is the biggest supporter and they are interested in this. So GM will drive this to the market as fast as they can.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,609 Points:1,608,545 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 1, 2012 5:06:16 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse Hope it works in mass production. Could have lots other applications.
golftellowcat Champion Author Ottawa Posts:2,442 Points:691,900 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Feb 29, 2012 10:44:50 AM Ignore golftellowcat Report Abuse Good news
MelB70 Champion Author Boston Posts:7,597 Points:1,322,450 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Feb 28, 2012 4:36:35 PM Ignore MelB70 Report Abuse great idea, but I am thinking "Who is going to buy me a car" since I will not be able to afford that. And if I make payments, it will be worthless by the time i finish paying it off...
E-Squirrel Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,012 Points:819,060 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Feb 28, 2012 4:33:03 PM Ignore E-Squirrel Report Abuse dal1 exults: 'could change gas crisis in hurry!' Probably not in a hurry. From the snippet above: '...breakthrough that could one day lead to an electric car that has a 300-mile range...' At this point, there is no ready battery product.
pandarisuresh Sophomore Author New Jersey Posts:211 Points:148,215 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Feb 28, 2012 4:20:04 PM Ignore pandarisuresh Report Abuse i agree
dal1 Champion Author Illinois Posts:1,183 Points:147,165 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Feb 28, 2012 5:33:20 AM Ignore dal1 Report Abuse could change gas crisis in hurry!
SparkieMi Champion Author Kalamazoo Posts:3,256 Points:586,960 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Feb 28, 2012 2:33:56 AM Ignore SparkieMi Report Abuse Interesting... How soon???
Dodge_Me Champion Author Atlanta Posts:2,214 Points:555,480 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 11:39:53 PM Ignore Dodge_Me Report Abuse Cool
us4usa Champion Author Missouri Posts:5,984 Points:1,111,375 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 11:15:34 PM Ignore us4usa Report Abuse It could happen and it could happen is my life time, well it could...
Blue_Cruzer Champion Author Lexington Posts:7,515 Points:1,668,610 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 11:01:41 PM Ignore Blue_Cruzer Report Abuse Just what we need.
umitb Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:3,675 Points:843,440 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 11:01:06 PM Ignore umitb Report Abuse ok
TheeRedRam Champion Author Hartford Posts:3,158 Points:671,660 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 11:00:46 PM Ignore TheeRedRam Report Abuse .
FastAndy Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:4,496 Points:1,984,500 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:58:02 PM Ignore FastAndy Report Abuse I hope it lowers prices, more than just a little.
sydb7 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,557 Points:1,919,005 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:57:06 PM Ignore sydb7 Report Abuse we'll see
Kmankeith Veteran Author Rhode Island Posts:459 Points:364,405 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:56:37 PM Ignore Kmankeith Report Abuse electric cars will always just be a concept with a little traction every 15 or 20 years.
preacherjohn Champion Author Modesto Posts:3,982 Points:1,917,850 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:51:30 PM Ignore preacherjohn Report Abuse battery--batteries
LaVonneK Champion Author Iowa Posts:2,940 Points:625,775 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:50:09 PM Ignore LaVonneK Report Abuse This could be good news.
BCM1 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:1,859 Points:782,020 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:49:12 PM Ignore BCM1 Report Abuse I hope they are a bunch of private entrepreneurs and don't need government money.
blazerbob91 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:6,140 Points:1,882,695 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:42:53 PM Ignore blazerbob91 Report Abuse Isn't technology great. They say it would cost 25-30k. Gm will tack on another 10k just for good measure.
zeddieiv Champion Author Columbia Posts:5,740 Points:1,504,905 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:42:35 PM Ignore zeddieiv Report Abuse oh please
DEG Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:17,615 Points:3,493,730 Joined:Jul 2003	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:41:36 PM Ignore DEG Report Abuse Its all vapor-ware (smoke and mirrors) until the system is proto-typed.
BoerneWatch Champion Author San Antonio Posts:15,536 Points:2,452,965 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:40:09 PM Ignore BoerneWatch Report Abuse Might as well be Popular Science. The word "could" is the teaser as it has for generations.
speedys Champion Author Utah Posts:7,012 Points:2,557,910 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:37:46 PM Ignore speedys Report Abuse Could but will it?
HYEgasCA Champion Author Fresno Posts:2,111 Points:910,000 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:33:09 PM Ignore HYEgasCA Report Abuse OK Mr. Kapadia, just let us know how much taxpayer money you want and President Obama will gladly give it to you.
ACTown Champion Author Oregon Posts:2,347 Points:1,428,730 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:31:25 PM Ignore ACTown Report Abuse ThAT IS WHAT WE NEEDED.
Prodaddy Champion Author Houston Posts:8,375 Points:1,894,210 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:28:09 PM Ignore Prodaddy Report Abuse This could be really big
J Eric Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:10,264 Points:2,069,980 Joined:Feb 2004	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:28:06 PM Ignore J Eric Report Abuse The good thing about lithium batteries: if you go crazy, you can always swallow them.
darkknight1 Champion Author Winston-Salem Posts:4,330 Points:894,860 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:27:02 PM Ignore darkknight1 Report Abuse I can hardly wait.
confetti Veteran Author Tampa Posts:354 Points:362,290 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:25:31 PM Ignore confetti Report Abuse This technology may or may not pan out. But it's yet another example of government stealing from taxpayers to fund whatever they want. Private investors should be driving the economy, not Government Motors and DOE.
kma3141 Rookie Author Albuquerque Posts:4 Points:278,555 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:23:20 PM Ignore kma3141 Report Abuse 400 watt-hrs/Kg would be great and lead to many possibilities.
Vetteblu Champion Author Denver Posts:2,665 Points:778,870 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:23:09 PM Ignore Vetteblu Report Abuse They'll still "burn" coal.
Blue48 Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,300 Points:1,636,970 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:21:37 PM Ignore Blue48 Report Abuse KEEP THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX!
carloco75 Champion Author Richmond Posts:3,711 Points:599,390 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:21:35 PM Ignore carloco75 Report Abuse I...suppose...
carloco75 Champion Author Richmond Posts:3,711 Points:599,390 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:21:04 PM Ignore carloco75 Report Abuse Oh that's great news...
PoohMcGoo Champion Author Alabama Posts:3,067 Points:799,835 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:19:35 PM Ignore PoohMcGoo Report Abuse It's still a GM though..
woburnspotter2 Veteran Author Boston Posts:480 Points:172,405 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:18:55 PM Ignore woburnspotter2 Report Abuse They need to do something - I'd never buy an electric car - I need more versitility.
Bonnie24TX Rookie Author El Paso Posts:36 Points:4,665 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:17:08 PM Ignore Bonnie24TX Report Abuse I have not read anything about the efficiency nor affordability. Also concerned about what we do if electricity is not available. This is a real possibility with the shortage of all energy sources, for example, when disasters have already hit and will again. I am not an alarmist, just realistic.
Pumpz Sophomore Author Boston Posts:197 Points:887,125 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:15:59 PM Ignore Pumpz Report Abuse Electric cars are a moot point for the environment if we are still getting our energy from coal and natural gas. More nuclear/hydro/wind would be a much better answer than coal fired (electric) cars.
mstearno Champion Author Dayton Posts:8,061 Points:1,730,260 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:15:22 PM Ignore mstearno Report Abuse well don't look to gm for this they stink
Pumpz Sophomore Author Boston Posts:197 Points:887,125 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:15:11 PM Ignore Pumpz Report Abuse 1000 mile battery is pretty unrealistic and not really needed. For most commuters, a 100 mile range is adequate, and most electric cars can go much faster than that. A commuter car can be charged overnight, or while at work. For extended trips, fast charging stations or on board generation (via liquid fuel engine) is necessary.
skb69sa Champion Author San Antonio Posts:3,477 Points:710,175 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:13:13 PM Ignore skb69sa Report Abuse Its too early to tell. But, lets hope it work
OGW Champion Author London Posts:5,324 Points:1,531,150 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:11:26 PM Ignore OGW Report Abuse Time will tell but to become a vehicle for the masses a 1000 mile battery will be needed. A car may have a 400 mile range on gasoline because of its tank size but after 5 minutes at at filling station you have another 400 mile range. That is not possible with an electric vehicle. Anyway if GM is a backer it is sure to fail.
Jeannemarie Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:27,700 Points:2,035,640 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:11:21 PM Ignore Jeannemarie Report Abuse Sounds like a good deal. However, I still think the hybrid is better for longer distances. (Spoken from the heart by a thrilled 2006 Prius owner who has never had a complaint about her car.)
Lukus Champion Author Halifax Posts:8,278 Points:1,673,555 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:07:44 PM Ignore Lukus Report Abuse Yeah, its good for 300 miles.
kcboy Champion Author Utah Posts:3,963 Points:1,506,825 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:05:36 PM Ignore kcboy Report Abuse Great news.
skybiker Champion Author South Carolina Posts:7,292 Points:1,558,540 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:05:24 PM Ignore skybiker Report Abuse Another Unicorn in the Land of Batteries....
mcmonsta Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,222 Points:817,570 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Feb 27, 2012 10:04:59 PM Ignore mcmonsta Report Abuse how safe, how long will it last, how much $ TO REPLACE IT...questions to be answered...BUT it's a start. keep it coming