The new LEV lithium ion battery in a Mitsubishi iMiEV

Most of the lithium ion batteries used in electric cars today are custom made or put together from batteries meant for some other use. Starting in the first half of 2009, the Japanese company Lithium Energy Japan will be producing new rechargeable high performance lithium ion batteries built specifically for automobiles. The company, which is co-owned by Mitsubishi motors, is building a new manufacturing plant in central Japan.

We’ve been hearing a whole lot about the Tesla Roadster lately. It’s the 100% electric car that can go 220 miles on a single charge of it’s super fantastic lithium ion battery pack and can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds. It’s totally awesome. Sounds great, except for the fact that they cost $100k. Still, as far as supercars go, it’s fairly cheap.

That’s great and all, but where’s the mainstream 100% electric Civic and Focus and cheap commuter car?

Possible Design of Next Prius

At every major crossroads in the automotive industry, car manufacturers have stepped up to produce… garbage.  Ok, that’s not always true, but maybe that isn’t so bad either.  Even failures, often ESPECIALLY failures, have ultimately forced car companies out of a comfortable status quo mentality to produce better, faster and safer vehicles. 

Those with deep pockets, an eco-friendly attitude, and a need for luxurious speed are surely smiling with the news of an important manufacturing agreement that brings the most striking hybrid on the streets to North America in 2009.

On the heels of General Motor’s announcement of cost cutting measures meant to raise nearly $15 billion dollars, Chrysler has revealed plans to develop its own line of electric vehicles.

Chrysler estimates its electric cars will be available in 3-5 years, placing even more pressure on the release and success of the Chevy Volt in 2010. While Chrysler’s electric car division, named ENVI, has 3 vehicles currently in development, it is keeping specific details about the cars under wraps.

Toyota plug-in hybrid

In a full-throttle commitment to go green and go big, Toyota has announced plans to release a plugin hybrid car by 2010. We feel that this move will reinforce Toyota as the true market leader in green technology and actually lead to a fundamental shift in the industry.

At RideLust, our view is that plug-in hybrids are the most likely green technology to quick, pervasive adoption. Why? Because they allow you to depend on electric 100% electric power for your daily commute, but provide long-distance range for the occasional family vacation.

Unlike pure electric vehicles like the Tesla Roadster, plug-in hybrids, such as the one coming from Toyota, don’t limit the distance you drive to 200 miles per charge and require a 3 hour downtime while you charge the vehicle up.

Rather, plug-in vehicles use the batteries in the vehicle for the first X number of miles and then convert over to a liquid fuel, drastically increasing your range and always enabling you to simply fuel up, rather than requiring a charge up in the middle of a trip.

The Toyota plugin hybrid will feature lithium-ion batteries produced by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.