AP Environmental Science

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Nissan Motor Co. and NEC ( an electronics maker) have indicated that they will be partnering to make lithium-ion batteries for hybrids and electric cars, known collectively known as green vehicles by the year 2009. The lithium ion is most commonly found right now in laptops and cell phones. The corporations are investing 490 yen or 4.1 million dollars in this project. Nissan plans to release their version of the hybrid car in 2010 and electric car sometime early in the next decade. Toyota and Honda have been in the market for green vehicles for many years using the nickel-metal hydride batteries.

Researchers are making the battery based on cost, performance, safetly, and reliability. When the battery is released it will be available to all automakers.

I think that it is great that Nissan is finally coming out with a more ecologically friendly car; however, I am not sure how much money they will make from it. I feel like people who are serious about buying environmentally friendly cars have already done so, buying a Honda or Toyota. But, maybe by the time Nissan’s new cars come out, there will be more an urgent reponse to global warming. I wonder what the difference is between the nickel-metal hydride batteries and the lithium-ion batteries are as far as which is better for the environment, or even if one is.

Article from: http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=12568 Associated Press, Nissan, NEC To Produce Batteries For Ecologically Friendly Vehicles