The worst nightmare for an electric car owner is having to buy a new battery. Replacing one for a Tesla Model S, for example, costs $12,000. But if this technology coming out of Germany catches on, battery replacement might not be an issue anymore.
Researchers backed by the German government have developed a lithium-ion battery capable of retaining 85 percent capacity after charging every day for 27 years. Most people don't even keep their cars that long. The battery also has a high power density (1,100 watts per kilogram), which means "short charging times and a superior acceleration capability."
The technology has yet to leave the lab, so we can't stop worrying about battery replacements yet. If these batteries do hit the market, though, electric vehicles will also shed one of the most common criticisms laid against them.
[via Tech Flesh]