Toshiba Super-Charging Hybrid Cars December 14, 2007
Read more Cars , Gadgets , Gizmodo UK , Motoring , Technology
The problem with many hybrid cars is that the batteries used are just too damn big and slow to recharge to make them a viable purchase for a wider audience. Let’s not even talk about the cost.
Toshiba has just unveiled a battery though that might change all of that. The Super Charge ion Battery (SCiB) is based on lithium-ion technology but is a third of the size and weight of the batteries currently used in hybrid cars and, if that’s not enough, it can be recharged to 90% capacity in under 5 minutes. Now that’s impressive.
Toshiba says the batteries will also last for 10 years. The company is planning mass production of the new batteries next March and, while hybrid cars are the first target market, the company held out hope that this technology will make it into consumer products at a later date.
Just think, a laptop, a phone and all of your other gadgets charged in less than 5 minutes. We can but dream.-Martin Lynch
Editor and Contributor | Martin Lynch
Contributor | Tamlin Magee
Comments
Yeah.....that could totaly screw the oil industry, sink OPEC & save the planet...........shame it's total bollacks with no back-up from Toshiba.....
I want one for my laptop. I might make the thing usable.
LOL - very funny - like - where are you going to find a powerpoint that's going to deliver the 100000amps you'd need to charge a whole car in 5 mins?
Cars use 150000 watts.
Your home power point can supply 1200 watts max.
To drive full-speed for 1 hour, you'd have to charge it for 4 DAYS first - never mind how fast the battery can theoretically charge - you simply can not find anywhere to give you that much electricity that fast.
Not ture, they must be Li-on, aharhar
Press release from Toshiba is here:
http://www.toshiba.co.jp/about/press/2007_12/pr1101.htm