Filed under: Emerging Technologies, Hybrid, USA
When it comes to hybrid batteries, it's the U.S. of dependency
click to enlarge
The Detroit Free Press' Justin Hyde has a new article out about just how reliant the Big Three are on other countries for all of their new-fangled high-tech parts, especially batteries for hybrid vehicles. We know that the U.S. government is funding hydrogen fuel cell and biofuel research to the hilt, but the dollars for PHEVs and their batteries simply don't match up. Hyde writes about the advantage that Asian countries have in making rechargeable batteries thanks to strong government support there for decades.
The thing is, I'm not sure how this reliance on other countreis for batteries will really be any different from many other aspects of the auto industry. I mean, haven't the past two or three (or more?) decades really been about moving production and sourcing to each and every corner of the world? Or take computer chips - of which how many are in each new car? How many of these are produced in the U.S.? It's the reality of the business/corporate world today, and hybrid vehicles certainly are no exception. Not sure what the surprise is here.
[Source: Seattle Times]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
pacopaco 8:56AM (8/18/2008)
perhaps his comment is that we are just as reliant on foreign batteries as we are on foreign oil.
Reply
GregR 10:01AM (8/18/2008)
The difference is that manufacturing of these batteries can absolutely be moved onshore if necessary. The same cannot be said for fossil fuels.
A bigger problem is coming down the road and that is disposing of old battery cells.
Reply
gorr 11:05AM (8/18/2008)
Bahh, america should make his own fuel and batteries and put that in big cars and trucks. It was just a natural ressource war invented by c.i.a in the 1930 era that culminated when they exploded the hinderberg. All that because they were tinking that the jews were controling the world economy.
Reply
MIKE 11:42AM (8/18/2008)
We've become a country depending on everyone for everything. We need to start doing for ourselves to be truly independent.
Reply
Richard 11:55AM (8/18/2008)
America has become a country of entitled people with no skills. Everybody wants the high life and and doesn't want to do any of the work. All the kids know is video games, which in turn has made most of them want to be video game programmers. Just how many video game programmers does the world need? No kids want to learn any trades because they just aren't prestigious. We are a country going downhill and quickly!
Reply
Frank 7:12AM (8/19/2008)
"It was just a natural ressource war invented by c.i.a in the 1930 era..."
Maybe you should read more real history and less conspriacy theories. The CIA did not exist in the 1930's or even during WWII.
Reply
D-GOD 5:31PM (8/19/2008)
This all makes sense, as you see that the Government likes gas, or oil, alcohol, hydrogen.
They can tax this all, and the gas tax finances road construction, and other government projects.
They will never get behind electricity because they cannot tax it to use the roads.
They will have to develop on-board meters and charge mileage used to tax the owner if they are ever going to encourage EV's, and real green powertrains.
Its sad, but thats America.
Public transit seems to be the only government backed transit system.
Reply
Dennis 10:43AM (8/20/2008)
I recomend that everyone look up A-123 systems of Watertown MA. They are making the bateries for the Volt and for the Chysler Buses. I do not have any connection with this company but have been following them. Their breakthrough in Nano Tech Lithium-Ion will carry the day, and its made in the USof A.
Reply