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Chapter 8: Batteries 203high-discharge currents, higher cycle-life, slower self-discharge rate, better long-termstorability, and improved low-temperature performance) will continue to providemarkets to fund development aimed at improving its disadvantages over lead-acid:higher cost and environment-related cadmium issues.Nickel Metal HydrideThe environmentally benign alter ego to the nickel-cadmium battery is also flat-outsuperior to it in specific energy and specific power comparisons, and should becomethe preferred alkaline battery of the future (Figure 8-8). The USABC certainly thoughtso and is invest its research and development dollars toward this technology.In addition, when talking about nickel metal hydride batteries, Ron Freund’s studyin the next section tells everyone how mid-range battery packs stand the test of time.Personally, the RAV4 EV was the most reliable EV to get me from White Plains, NewYork to lower Manhattan and back to White Plains, New York. That should tell it all, butlet’s hear about Ron’s report of his experience with the RAV4.Lithium PolymerThis battery’s specific energy and specific power numbers evoke nothing but envy fromits competitors and mouth-watering anticipation from its advocates. The whole lithiumgroup has shown great promise in the labs, and smaller lithium polymer batteries havegreatly impressed users in the computer industry. But lithium still has to deliver on itspromise when packaged in the giant, economy, suitable-for-powering-EVs size (seeFigure 8-9). Stay tuned for future developments here—the USABC certainly will.Fi g u r e 8-8 Nickel metal h ydride batter y