Hybrid Batteries That Won't Explode
by Justin Thomas, Virginia 
on 08.27.05
Battery manufacturer, Valence Technologies, has been promoting the fact that their new lithium ion Saphion battery, will not explode when used in hybrid cars. Lithium ion batteries are more energy-dense than nickel metal hydride cells currently used in most hybrid and electric cars. That means a lithium ion battery can run at a higher power for a longer time than a nickel metal battery of the same weight.
But most lithium cells use a cobalt oxide chemistry that can catch fire or explode if the battery is charged or discharged too quickly, or if it is physically damaged. Valence is aiming to open up new markets for lithium ion technology by proving that lithium can be safe, a move that would challenge both nickel metal hydride and lithium ion cobalt oxide cells. :: Wired
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does anyone know how much energy and the environmental costs in general of the manufacture of these and other batteries?
it seems to me that it is a pretty virulantly toxic process.
seabasstin,
Yes and no.
What I mean is that all gasoline-only cars also have batteries. At least the batteries in hybrids do something POSITIVE and keep oil from being burnt and smog-forming emissions from being released into the air.
And these batteries can be recycled.
So I'd mount a crusade against many other things that don't give any benefits before mounting one against hybrid-vehicle batteries.
Lithium-ion is the way to go for EVs and Hybrids right now. And the more its adopted, the lower the prices will get (because of economies of scale). I'd love to see Li-on batteries in the slough of new hybrid models out in the next few years.