In message , "Dave Plowman (News)"
writes
In article ,
Chris Hogg wrote:
Tesla have a track record in such batteries, with their Roadster car.

Oh indeed. Both the examples they supplied broke down on the Top Gear test
track. To the point where the test had to be abandoned.

A replacement battery pack costs about $30,000. Like all Li-ion, mustn't
be allowed to run flat.

Surely the car's systems manage the battery so that it doesn't go to
flat?

Which means in practice the car has to have
regular use

don't follow that.

and left on charge when not

Probably not a great problem, as long as you have drive/garage to park
the car, or somewhere to park with a charge point it at the other end.

Though for the likely uses cases for elec cars at the moment, people
will probably just drive to and from work and then recharge over night

. Great if you wish to leave it at
the airport when going off on holiday.


If electric vehicle use increases (and I think it will) then it will be
come normal to have parking spaces with a charge point - as you already
find in quite a few places

Of course like all batteries, a better one is just around the corner. And
has been since lead acid were invented. Yet lead acid are still in use...

Yup, because it's an appropriate technology for some uses. It's not
appropriate for others, Hence the variety of batteries that have been
devloped over the years
--
Chris French