California agency panel to assess vehicle battery technology
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has convened an independent panel to evaluate battery technology required to produce emission free vehicles for California motorists.
The state's zero emissions law is embroiled in public controversy. That's largely because of a move by utilities to promote alternative motor fuels via increased charges to consumers.
During the next 30 days, CARB's panel will meet with battery and auto manufacturers to gather facts. It then will report its findings at CARB's Oct. 11 staff workshop on battery technology.
"California must have zero emission vehicles to meet federal air standards by 2010 and beyond," said CARB Chairman John D. Dunlap. "This audit of battery technology will provide an unbiased assessment of key zero emission vehicle technology for both the short and medium term."
CARB panelists are to travel extensively to meet with battery and auto manufacturers. The goal is to determine the performance of battery technologies and determine when they could be available in mass produced electric vehicles.
Panelists also will assess the time frame required to evaluate batteries in prototype vehicles and achieve needed production volumes.
The panel will focus on battery technologies expected to be commercially available during 1998-2002, including conventional lead acid batteries and advanced batteries using nickel metal hydride and lithium ion.
The four panelists scheduled to participate are Fritz Kalhammer, vice-president the Electric Power Research Institute, Akiya Kozawa, retired research associate for Union Carbide, Carl Moyer, chief scientist for Acurex Environmental Corp., and Boone Owens, an electrochemical technology specialist for Research International of North Carolina.
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