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Li-Ion Batteries Get Green Seal of Approval 69

Posted by samzenpus
from the earth-approved dept.
thecarchik writes "It is not an easy task to compare the environmental effects of battery powered cars to those caused by conventionally fueled automobiles. The degree to which manufacture, usage and disposal of the batteries used to store the necessary electrical energy are detrimental to the environment is not exactly known. Now, for the first time, a team of Empa scientists have made a detailed life cycle assessment (LCA) or ecobalance of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, in particular the chemically improved (i.e. more environmentally friendly) version of the ones most frequently used in electric vehicles. Researchers decided to find out for sure. They calculated the ecological footprints of electric cars fitted with Li-ion batteries, taking into account all possible relevant factors, from those associated with the production of individual parts all the way through to the scrapping of the vehicle and the disposal of the remains, including the operation of the vehicle during its lifetime."
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Li-Ion Batteries Get Green Seal of Approval More

Li-Ion Batteries Get Green Seal of Approval

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  • Hmm, the source is interesting (Score:4, Insightful)

    by afidel (530433) on Wednesday September 01 2010, @11:20PM (#33445272)
    It's a research group focused on bringing academic lab work to the commercial world, I can't imagine that they would possibly have any bias for new technologies =) I'm not saying their methods are flawed, but since there's no actual paper available just a press release I'll take it with a grain of NaCl until I can read their actual work. I've seen too many vendor TCO claims to be swayed without the detailed disclosure.

  • Re:Missing factor (Score:3, Insightful)

    by DamienRBlack (1165691) on Wednesday September 01 2010, @11:36PM (#33445394)
    I know you're being snarky, but first off, we're probably going to exhaust our entire supply of fossil fuels anyway, the question is just how quickly. Secondly, electric cars are still being powered by fossil fuels, for the most part anyway. Thirdly, any reduction in demand can be easily offset with tax schemes like cap-and-trade.

  • Re:Missing factor (Score:5, Insightful)

    by DamienRBlack (1165691) on Thursday September 02 2010, @12:45AM (#33445776)
    Oh I know it won't happen in my lifetime. I just think it is good to keep the end goal in site no matter how far away it is.

  • Re:Hasty Disposal (Score:4, Insightful)

    by Cochonou (576531) on Thursday September 02 2010, @01:53AM (#33446164) Homepage
    Are you sure this is the original battery ? My anecdotal evidence on a dozen of samples tells me that after about 6 years, most laptop Li-On batteries cannot hold charge anymore.

The fact that 47 PEOPLE are yelling and sweat is cascading down my SPINAL COLUMN is fairly enjoyable!!