wasn't the first generation of prius an echo with lead acid batteries
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Dec. 25, 2011 6:48 a.m. JoeyM SuperDork
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Dec. 25, 2011 12:07 p.m. novaderrik Dork
madmallard wrote:
sitting here at work still... I figured I'd point out something:
Until the Volt project was launched, electric cars were going nowhere fast because of current (pun) battery limitations up until now.
The most successful elec tech car in the Prius when designed used pretty much only current generation battery technology already in existance.
To be viable, batteries would need a forced 2 generation leap at least to be useful today, and the only way that was going to happen is an epoch in research, or a money infusion forcing it along.
The cost is not without very clear explanation in my mind. Wether or not a justifyable expense of the government, is up for discussion. I was excited that GM was willing before they were in immediate bankrupcy danger to still start fronting the money for this project years ago.
yeah, it's not like Obama told GM to throw some batteries and an electric motor into a car and put it up for sale as a part of the bailout.. the R&D on the technology that went into the volt can be traced back almost 2 decades- they were working in this even when they were making money hand over fist selling $45k 4X4 pickups and SUV's to people that live in the suburbs.. the bailout just pushed the schedule ahead a little bit.
