Batteries for Vehicular Applications

This paper will describe battery technology as it relates to use in vehicular applications, including hybrid‐electric vehicles (HEV), electric vehicles (EV), and plug‐in‐hybrid‐electric vehicles (PHEV). The present status of rechargeable batteries, the requirements for each application, and the scientific stumbling blocks that stop batteries from being commercialized for these applications will be discussed. Focus will be on the class of batteries referred to as lithium batteries and the various chemistries that are the most promising for these applications. While Li‐ion is expected in HEVs in the very near future, use in PHEVs are expected to be more gradual and dependent on solving the life, safety, and cost challenges. Finally, batteries for EVs remain problematic because of the range and charging‐time issues.