For electric cars, there's a couple options. These are called traction batteries, and they tend to be stupidly high current (because motors are current, not voltage dependant).
1) Lead acid wet-cell
2) Abosrtbed-glass-mat (AGM), in which instead of just floodying the electrolyte with lead acid, you soak fibreglass with it, so the acid can't spill anymore. These are technically lead-acids, but they've got higher current flow since they can use purer lead (since the electrodes need less structural rigidity), they've got better temperature tolerance, and best of all, they self-discharge slower. These are what are used in motorcycles, military vehicles (like SUBS), BMWs, and some sports cars. Theyr'e also used in electric cars since they have better power density than standard lead-acids.
3) Na/NiCl2 Molten Salt (ZEBRA) - temperature limited, as it's not really good below freezing (especially not in areas like Canada, where it gets well below), but it's better than other molten salts which need stupidly high (400-700C) temperatures. These are *great* for rechargable uses, as they seem to never get worn out, but their limitations make them unattractive for use in the 1st World.
4) NiZn - these are *way* better than lead-acids. Expect to see them more. They were actually invented a long time ago (30's) but for some reason went nowhere. My power eletronics prof used to claim that the lead-acid conglomerates killed it. They've got much better power density.
5) Lithium - most of the work today is being done on these - I haven't seem them used much for high-current apps, but I won't be surprised.
Amazing what you pick up when doing a RFP to replace the UPS systems at work.
On a completely unreleated note: Someone want to explain to me why Homeland Security flagged an RMA shipment of batteries? Are 700lbs of battery packs really that suspicious?--
Christopher Angel, aka JPublic
The Works of Christopher Angel
"Camaraderie, adventure, and steel on steel. The stuff of legend! Right, Boo?"
1) Lead acid wet-cell
2) Abosrtbed-glass-mat (AGM), in which instead of just floodying the electrolyte with lead acid, you soak fibreglass with it, so the acid can't spill anymore. These are technically lead-acids, but they've got higher current flow since they can use purer lead (since the electrodes need less structural rigidity), they've got better temperature tolerance, and best of all, they self-discharge slower. These are what are used in motorcycles, military vehicles (like SUBS), BMWs, and some sports cars. Theyr'e also used in electric cars since they have better power density than standard lead-acids.
3) Na/NiCl2 Molten Salt (ZEBRA) - temperature limited, as it's not really good below freezing (especially not in areas like Canada, where it gets well below), but it's better than other molten salts which need stupidly high (400-700C) temperatures. These are *great* for rechargable uses, as they seem to never get worn out, but their limitations make them unattractive for use in the 1st World.
4) NiZn - these are *way* better than lead-acids. Expect to see them more. They were actually invented a long time ago (30's) but for some reason went nowhere. My power eletronics prof used to claim that the lead-acid conglomerates killed it. They've got much better power density.
5) Lithium - most of the work today is being done on these - I haven't seem them used much for high-current apps, but I won't be surprised.
Amazing what you pick up when doing a RFP to replace the UPS systems at work.
On a completely unreleated note: Someone want to explain to me why Homeland Security flagged an RMA shipment of batteries? Are 700lbs of battery packs really that suspicious?--
Christopher Angel, aka JPublic
The Works of Christopher Angel
"Camaraderie, adventure, and steel on steel. The stuff of legend! Right, Boo?"