Batteries (New, from Sony)

Sony announced today that it’s been selling improved batteries, which use olivine-type lithium iron phosphate as the cathode material. It claims they last four times longer than current Li-ion batteries, and that they recharge safely in 30 minutes. They’re available in power tools only, but Sony plans to use them in consumer electronics “gradually.” Details are in a press release. [Sony Insider via Oh Gizmo]

1. [rex]

   At four times the capacity,it could make electric cars practical. This would take the Chevy Volt from 40 mile range to 160.Or the Tesla Roadster from 350 mile range to over 1200!

2. [bcsizemo]

   Umm…well you can just buy the single cells in various sizes if you are interested:

   http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=1273

   (I don’t work or have purchased anything from that website…yet. Just been doing research for a potential project.)