A new mandate for energy conversion: zero emission (electric) vehicles

Current laws require the sale of zero emission vehicles in several states, as early as 1998. This has caused the automotive industry to focus efforts on the development of battery-powered electric vehicles. As a major part of this effort, a cooperative program for the development of advanced batteries has been undertaken by the automotive industry, the electric power industry, and the US Department of Energy. The vehicle for the effort is the United States Advanced Battery Consortium. The author discusses the goals of the consortium and some of the technological options for meeting those goals, including opportunities for the development of high-performance, cost-effective electrochemical systems. Some of the battery systems that may meet most or all of the goals and are closer to production than other related candidates are briefly reviewed.