Lifespan of lithium-ion batteries and electric vehicles

by Michael Smith (Veshengro)

Given that frequently recharged lithium-ion batteries – as for e-cigarettes, for example – seems to last only a rather short time (in the case of e-cigarettes no more than a few months) the question is how will then those in electronic vehicles hold up.

When considering that replacement batteries for laptops and Netbooks, as well as cell phones, rum to almost a third of the cost of the device it stands to reason to ask what cost, in proportion, a replacement battery for an EV would be.

If the ratio of cost and lifespan does not improve then, in my opinion, the electric vehicle just does not and will not compute and is doomed to failure, in the long run.

Looking at it from the battery point alone with regards to lifespan and replacement cost electric vehicles, I am afraid, are not going to cut it (in the long run). Who would be able to spend a third of the price of the car on a new battery about every year or two?

Hybrids and cars on biofuel also will not do it in the long run as, once the oil is gone, the cheap and abundant oil at least, we just will not have the energy to make all those things, and we will especially not be able to mass produce cars cheaply, cars of any kind.

The future of transportation, and I hate to be a spoilsport, and of travel on a personal level, for the average person, is going to be, once again, walking and cycling and, maybe, if you are lucky, horse and buggy.

The time of personal motorized transport for the masses is coming to an end. This will be a good thing in the end for pollution will fall of rapidly and obesity also will come to an end.

The Planet and everyone else will be healthier...

© 2011