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- Are 'Green' Li-ion Batteries just Another Way to Combat Growing Ecological Concerns?
The recent tie-up of Bosch and Samsung follows the recent trend of various auto and auto-components manufactures joining hands with consumer electronics companies to manufacture Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries. The Li-ion batteries are used to help power the ever-increasingly popular hybrid cars, such as the GM Chevy Volt, which is already on the market, and Toyota is also planning to launch a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) version of its Prius brand by June 2009. Demand for the Li-ion batteries is so high that it is currently outstripping supply. Earlier this year, the industry also witnessed similar tie ups between Toyota and Matsushita, Volkswagen and Sanyo, and GM and LG amongst others.
Li-ion batteries are easy to recharge, require less maintenance and are less polluting than the currently used nickel metal hydride batteries, making them a viable and cleaner energy source for running automobiles. Li-ion batteries are being used by vehicle manufacturers to produce greener vehicles, especially PHEVs.
Apart from being advantageous in terms of ease of recharging and less pollution, Li-ion batteries also have a high energy density and hence conserve energy better. Given they have a potentially higher charging capacity; they are a good choice for a PHEV.
However, these batteries do come with some critical disadvantages. One of the most significant is their safety issues. Rather worryingly, it has been discovered that these batteries have a tendency to explode in cases of over-heating. Dell computers had to recall its laptops with Li-ion batteries when cases of battery explosions emerged. Another severe limitation is the fact that the Li-ion batteries have certain transportation restrictions imposed by many countries, including the USA and the European Union, causing an impediment in their distribution. To add to the trouble of vehicle manufacturers, Li-ion batteries are about 40% costlier to manufacture and market than the traditional nickel-based batteries.
Hence, it seems that PHEVs with Li-ion batteries are nothing but a stopgap measure to combat growing ecological concerns. Ultimately, vehicle manufacturers must not compromise with the safety of their vehicles. Therefore, they must focus on sourcing batteries which are safer and less expensive to produce. Otherwise, they must keep looking for other alternatives to develop PHEVs.
For more information see New Cars: Global Industry Guide
- Should Teenagers be Banned from Driving at Night?
Recent reports shows that the pressure is growing on the government to impose new US-style restrictions on young drivers after a series of fatal crashes involving teenagers. This would mean that they would be banned from driving during night time. Is this another sign of the 'Nanny State', or is it the only way of stopping you people from dangerous driving?
The Commission for Global Road Safety writes that worldwide, the number of people killed in road traffic crashes each year is estimated to be almost 1.2 million. That's 3000 people killed on the world's roads every day. Over 50% of road deaths are among young adults in the age range of 15-44 years.
Andrew Howard, the head of road safety at the AA, supported a recent call by a House of Commons transport committee for a ban on new teenage licence-holders driving with young passengers after nightfall. He stressed that, along with other motoring and road safety groups such as the RAC Foundation, the AA wanted urgent educational initiatives to tackle the 'culture' of dangerous driving long before young people reached their 17th birthday and were eligible for a licence.
Read the rest of this blog here. - Will Cheap Fuel Force UK Motorists to Head South?
Fancy an excuse for a holiday? Well, if so, this is your chance. A recent survey from the UK Post Office Services says motorists will find the cheapest fuel in Spain and Switzerland. Switzerland is the only one out of 12 European destinations where unleaded fuel cost less than ВЈ1 a litre, and driving in Spain is the best value for diesel and hire car drivers.
This research comes hand in hand with recent panic in the UK over last-ditch talks to avert a strike by 641 tanker drivers who supply one in ten UK petrol stations. Despite pleas from Prime Minister Gordon Brown for motorists to stay calm , industry experts believe the move will backfire and that in the next 48 hours before Friday's 6am deadline for strike action, motorists in parts of the country will rush to the pumps.
The UK was sixth on the value for money list, but it showed the largest underlying price increase for the year to June for unleaded petrol. Austria is third on the list with unleaded fuel costing ВЈ1.02 per litre and Sweden fourth with ВЈ1.11. In the end of the list is Norway where unleaded fuel costs ВЈ1.40.
The dispute in the UK involves 500 drivers employed by Hoyer UK and 141 by Suckling Transport, who are sole suppliers for Shell. Times online writes that Shell forecourts are to receive deliveries of oil which can last four days. As long as motorists stick to usual buying patterns there should not be a shortage. Even if there is a strike, tankers will be back on the roads from 6am next Tuesday. Otherwise...you just have to head South!
For more information on global oil click here.