Customers continually ask us about Lithium Batteries.  Unless someone is willing to risk $10,000, we encourage patience.  There are two big issues: Performance and Warranty.  
 
First, performance is changing.  Manufacturer's claims used to be 10,000 cycles; now some have reduced their claims to only 5000 cycles.  Remember that is under laboratory conditions; not real EV conditions.  We recommend that you cut the projected cycle life in half in order to be realistic.  If the manufacturer claims 5000, plan on only 2500 cycles.  Similarly, look at the A-H rating,  the number of minutes at 75 amps, and the maximum continuous current.   If the continuous current is 110 amps; you may need parallel battery packs to achieve the performance you are want.  But remember parallel packs rarely charge evenly. 
 
Warranty is the next major issue. What does the warranty include?  How many years?  Who will replace the batteries?   Who will evaluate the failed batteries?  How will they be evaluated?
 
A recent article on GM in Ward's Auto stated  "Li-ion can be made using as many as 25 different chemistries. And each chemistry yields different power and energy properties. Some GM products such as HEVs require more power, while EV applications such as the Volt demand more energy."      http://wardsauto.com/ar/gm_battery_lab_091023/ 

 

We have been in the EV business for more than 20 years.  We have seen lots of excitement on NiCd and NiMH batteries - that soon disappeared.  We believe Lithium batteries will improve to meet expectations - patience will be rewarded.