Be careful here, since there are a lot of different battery chemistries that have different energy storage levels, and pros and cons.

Standard wet Lead-Acid batteries are the most recycled type of battery in existance (more than 98%). No, they don't have the same energy density as complex hydrocarbons, but they are fully understood, can be recycled and reused, and don't have to contribute any environmental pollution (if used and recycled properly). Compare lead-acid battery production with something like automobile production, and they are very clean in comparison.

As it points out in the article, the vast majority of people drive only 40 miles or less in a day, so in these cases you never have to worry about any sort of charging during the day. Just take 10 seconds to plug it in at night and 10 seconds to unplug. This is not a serious limitation for any reasonable person.

Ultracaps are great for quick discharge and charge, but you need to do more research on their energy storage volume. It is VERY small as compared with even lead-acid (less than 1% as I recall). Look at the total joules of energy stored to compare batteries and ultracaps -- you will be very surprised. Yes, there is definately research going on in this field, but they have a big hill to climb -- they need multiple orders of magnitude to catch up with even lead acid.

The reality is that there will NOT be just one electric vehicle solution, there will be many. I say kudos to anyone that can help drive electric vehicle adoption for our world.

> Long live the American freedom of choice! Yep, go ahead, it's your right, and you can accept the consequences of doing so. But, don't look for me at the gas station, when gas his $3 a gallon. My electric car doesn't need gas, goes where I want, when I want, and meets all my needs for 50 cents a day of electricity. That's my choice.