Electricity, by its very nature, is difficult to manage and store. When it is created, it must be moved immediately to the location where it can be used. When we need it, we expect it to be immediately available. There is, as yet, no foolproof way to store it for future use.
Because of its instability, scientists and engineers have been searching for a long time for a way to “stockpile” electricity against a time when it may be needed. And even as this research progresses, the need for this type of technology grows. The applications for reliable electricity storage abound.
It all comes down to the need for a better battery. In the case of electric vehicles, the lack of a “better” battery simply limits their range. However, those that understand the nature of Electric Vehicles can see that even with a limited range/speed all of the other benefits (low emissions, cleaner roads, quieter neighborhoods) they offer outweighs this predicament.
Zinc-bromide batteries hold promise for large scale, commercial electricity storage. But what is the best option for applications such as electric vehicles? In an effort to find the answer, thirteen electric co-ops in a dozen states are road-testing plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) under a project sponsored by the Cooperative Research Network (CRN) and the US Department Of Energy’s Idaho National Laboratory. The co-ops are all members of the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI). They hope to find a way to make a battery that will last longer, cost less and be more stable. They also will be looking at how an increase in electrically powered vehicles will affect the current electrical distribution system.
In an article by Scott Gates in the November 2009 issue of Carolina Countrymagazine, he explains that typical hybrid cars use nickel-metal hydride batteries that recharge during braking. PHEVs use larger, more powerful lithium-ion batteries (similar to what is used in cell phones and laptops) that can be charged overnight from a standard 110-volt outlet.
Moto Electric Vehicles uses the highest quality batteries available on the market, to ensure you receive the maximum range on a single charge. Check out our selection of Low Speed Vehicles, then fill out our interest form for us to contact you on current deals and specials!
