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Nick Koan · 2006-04-14, 10:27 AM

Nickel Metal Hydride doesn't have a limited number of charges, they just decrease in effeciency over time, depending on how much you charge it each time.

Li-ion on the other hand, has a set number of charges in its lifecycle (lets say 1000 for discussion) so, if the battery is drained 10% and you recharge it you lose one of your 1000 charges. NiMH would lose very little in that case, maybe equivalent of 10% of 'one charge.' I'm not a battery expert, just recalling a conversation I had with a business partner who used to do battery research, and drives a hybrid Accord.

Hybrids are constantly recharging with braking and excess engine power, so they would eat through those recharges quickly and the battery would become very expensive paperweights very fast.

But, then again NiMH can't supply power as well as Li-ion can, which means you need a lot of batteries. With the switch to these new Li-ion batteries, they really only need the physical space of about 60% of current implementations (roughly, I think) or just cram the more efficient batteries into the same footprint and make out like bandits on the mileage.

2006-04-14, 10:27 AM	#13
Nick Koan JDM Cowboy Real Name: Nick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Somewhere Posts: 8,642 Car: 2015 Mazda 3	Nickel Metal Hydride doesn't have a limited number of charges, they just decrease in effeciency over time, depending on how much you charge it each time. Li-ion on the other hand, has a set number of charges in its lifecycle (lets say 1000 for discussion) so, if the battery is drained 10% and you recharge it you lose one of your 1000 charges. NiMH would lose very little in that case, maybe equivalent of 10% of 'one charge.' I'm not a battery expert, just recalling a conversation I had with a business partner who used to do battery research, and drives a hybrid Accord. Hybrids are constantly recharging with braking and excess engine power, so they would eat through those recharges quickly and the battery would become very expensive paperweights very fast. But, then again NiMH can't supply power as well as Li-ion can, which means you need a lot of batteries. With the switch to these new Li-ion batteries, they really only need the physical space of about 60% of current implementations (roughly, I think) or just cram the more efficient batteries into the same footprint and make out like bandits on the mileage. __________________ While a standard engine is powered by a belt connected to the crankshaft, a turbo engine runs on its own exhaust steam, making it more energy efficient. -- CNN Last edited by Nick Koan; 2006-04-14 at 10:32 AM.